Not a huge expert in things legal but one thing I feel sure of is that gearing a contract to a particular client and the brief is the way to go.
Generic contracts are all very well but it pays to read the small print whichever side of the equation you're on, and although templates are useful, one size does not nnecessarily fit all :happy
If you were about to sign a contract with someone else you too would check the small print and would be entitled to request changes. Just out of interest, the Society of Authors, for instance, actually provides a contract service for its members so they can read through to check that everything is fair and reasonable - they weed out the dodgy contracts, the awkwardly worded ones, the vague ones, the everything ones ...
That's why people submit draft contracts, so they can be read and discussed.
If I were you I would
a) get legal advice about i) your T&Cs and ii) your client's suggestions
b) rewrite the contract in the light of that advice
c) thank your client for their suggestions and resubmit
Just out of curiosity - why do you need business contact details? Is it so tutors can verify the source of your research material? How would these contact details be used - and will we be receiving emails as a result? 😉
I only ask because there was someone last year who asked for feedback on the value of freelancers in journalism and also wanted business contact details. It wasn't absolutely clear why they were required and I guess we're all careful about possible unwanted spam.
I'm not an accountant, but I do know that there should be no problem at all as far as the taxman is concerned, provided it's declared as extra income on your tax return of course. Is this company covering your tax and NI? or are you dealing with that yourself? I expect it's yourself, isn't it? Just don't forget to keep your NI contributions up to date when you're working on the contract - have a word with your local tax office as these people are extraordinarily helpful and they'll tell you how to go about making sure you're up to date.
I wouldn't bother registering as self employed for a month's work, particularly as you'll have full time work in place by the end of the contract. However, if things change and you're still working for them on contract after that month and there is no full time work in sight, and this is your main source of income, then again check with the tax office as the line between employed and self-employed can be quite grey when you're working on a client's premises.
Just as a personal story - about three years back I was in a real muddle with my tax, partly because I couldn't afford an accountant, partly because I just didn't understand tax accounts, and mostly because I was just plain scared witless into a standstill. I had three different years to sort out - one was the current one, and two were two other years. I was getting these letters from the taxman, the interest was mounting up, I had no money and I tell you, I really was frightened - I didn't know who to ask for help.
Anyway to cut a long story short I eventually screwed my courage to the sticking place, went down to my local tax office and asked them for help. They were incredibly helpful. They couldn't have been more helpful in fact, and said they often see people who get in a tizz and just get completely lost.
They sat me down, helped me go through any and all tax liabilities, and also helped me respond to the Big Tax Collector to explain the situation. I mean, they could see I wasn't a tax avoider or an evader - I was just clueless. It turned out I was actually owed money too. Since then I've found my tax a breeze, and it holds no more fears. And now that I'm registered self-employed I shall be asking for their help and knowing they'll give it.
I agree with Simon - she needs to deal with it. Once the weight of it is off her shoulders she'll feel a lot better, believe me 😃
Lots of reasons - the main ones are in your list Rizzo 😃
Had a day job whilst writing in the evenings, and finally got sick to death of office politics and the bitching and backbiting. Who needs it! sheesh!! Finally took the plunge and now a full time freelancer. Working from home? great. Pick and choose what I want to work on? great. Organise my own schedule? yeah! Do the thing I most love - writing? fabuloso. Dunno about earning loads of dosh yet - still building up a client base.:rolleyes:
Once I'm properly on my feet and running, am thinking about the Ltd Co thing. Sounds like a good idea to me.
