As an employer, hiring external staff or freelancers can be a great help in addressing temporary pressure or completing specific projects. Freelancers are often flexible and readily available, and they can be a valuable addition to your team. However, hiring a freelancer also comes with some compliance risks. We explain what you should consider when working with freelancers.
Key differences between an employee and a freelancer
Firstly, it is important to know that a freelance professional is not an employee, but a self-employed person. This means there is no employment contract between you as an employer and the freelancer. Therefore, the freelancer is not entitled to leave, sick leave, a fixed number of holidays, or a pension. However, this does not mean that you, as an employer, have no responsibilities.
For example, you must ensure that the working conditions are safe and check whether your freelancer has the correct permits and insurances. Moreover, you also have to deal with good contracting practice. A freelance assignment usually lasts around 6 months. In agreement with the self-employed person, you determine the expected collaboration period in advance. By clearly communicating and coordinating everything, you can meet the requirements of good contracting practice. This is just as important as good employment practice.
Finally, it is important to realise that a freelancer often works for other clients as well. As a result, the freelancer may take on another assignment that coincides with yours. Therefore, it is important when hiring freelancers to make agreements about working hours in advance. This way, you will not face any surprises.
Laws and regulations
It is important to take into account the laws and regulations regarding working conditions. This way you avoid compliance risks and fines. For example, you must ensure that the freelancer's work meets the requirements of the occupational health and safety legislation. After all, a freelancer must also be able to work safely just like an employee. In this way, you prevent unfair competition. You also have the law DBA and AVG to take into account.
It is always wise to draw up a written agreement or contract with the professional. This document serves as legal protection for both parties and clarifies agreements regarding the project, payments, confidentiality and ownership of the work. If necessary, consult legal counsel to ensure the contract meets all legal requirements.
Checks on important documents
In addition to differences in laws and regulations, there are matters you should check before hiring a freelancer to start the assignment. A self-employed person is responsible for paying taxes and arranging social insurance themselves. Therefore, as an employer, you want to perform a business check before the self-employed person starts working with you. This ensures that the freelancer you work with has everything in order. This way, you can avoid problems with the Tax Office, for example.
Striive conducts a business check before the start of each assignment. We always check ID documents and Chamber of Commerce extracts, but we can also carry out multiple checks at the request of the client. These may include insurance policies, VOG, diplomas, and certificates. With our automated process, this saves both the client and the freelancer a lot of time!
Where to find a freelancer?
There are numerous ways to find a freelance professional. Networking can be a very effective way to find freelancers. Ask in your area if they know anyone who is freelancing and offering their services. You can also attend local events and conferences to connect with professionals in your field.
It is also possible to find the right freelancer on social media or online communities. LinkedIn is a popular choice for finding professionals in various industries. Online communities often have discussions and groups on various topics, including freelancing. It's a good place to ask for advice on how to find the right freelancer and connect with professionals.
Online, you can also find several freelancing platforms in no time. These platforms allow you to find a large number of freelancers in different categories and skills. The supply of freelancers is huge, making it quite difficult to find the best freelancer. Also, you usually pay a high commission to the freelance platform for using their services. With Striive, this is different. Using the platform is free and you only pay a small amount per hour worked for hiring a freelancer. With the Striive platform we make it easy for you and you are guaranteed to have 3 available top candidates in your inbox within 48 hours.
Put out your freelance assignments
Working with freelancers is an important decision that can contribute to the success of your projects. With the above points of attention, you can create good commissioning practices and let the freelancer complete assignments without any worries. Post your freelance assignments through Striive and find the right professional. Want to know more about how we can support you? Please contact us for the possibilities.
