To be annoyed with my client?

[ChilliDoritos]

I work from home on a freelance/self employed basis. I have one client that gave me a lot of work initially and after a few months they asked if I would work exclusively for them. I agreed as they were giving me a lot of work and I thought it would be more straightforward to work for just one client rather than several. I usually do about 30 hours per week for them.

Anyway, about a month ago they had problems with their computer system (that I use from home to do the work), and asked me on a Monday morning if I'd mind taking the rest of that week off (unpaid of course) whilst they sorted it. They assured me that work would commence the following Monday. I said that it was fine, and that I'd commence work as normal the following Monday. On the Friday I had an email from the company, saying the system wouldn't be sorted until Wednesday, but it would be sorted for definite then. And now here we are a month later, with me getting emails every few days from them saying the system will be working by Monday/Wednesday/Friday, and then it never is!!

I'm getting a bit fed up with waiting and think that really I ought to look for another client, even just for temporary work, but I think if I do this then this company won't want to use my services if and when they get up and running again. DH says I need to contact them and say that unless things are up and running by X date I will have no choice but to find other clients too. I enjoy a good working relationship with everyone at the company and don't want to be harsh, but I've had a month with zero income, and I am very bored during the day when the kids are at school. My youngest has just started and I was really looking forward to getting stuck into my work more during the school day, and instead I'm twiddling my thumbs, not able to make many plans in case work suddenly starts again.

AIBU to be cross with them?

Good lord! Of course yanbu. Your husband is right. If they want you exclusively they should be paying you a retainer.

Never put all client eggs in one basket,

you cannot afford the risk if self employed, find some new clients, and if anyone wants an exclusive relationship again, then they need to pay a retainer for quite periods.

Are you sure that it's just the computer system that is having problems and not that the company has financial difficulties?
I would investigate a bit further and/or give a date, as your DH suggested, to get things sorted.

Kittens is right, your husband it right. Get a retainer or get other clients.

I thoughy it ws illegal to work self employed for only one client anyway?

What does your agreement with them say about guaranteed work/exclusivity/termination?

if you are working 30 hours a week for them and are expected to work exclusively for them that sounds like it may well be employment rather than self-employment.

Look for new clients and if they want to continue the exclusive relationship then they need to pay you a retainer. I would ring them and discuss.

Hi absolutely YANBU. Be very careful, this is your career. If they really are having problems they will understand you need to earn in the meantime, if they are just messing you about then they wil probably kick off it only because they know they are in the wrong. Instead of giving them an ultimatum with a date, why not say "whilst I wait for the computer systems to be fixed, I will do freelance work for other companies and then you don't have to worry that I am waiting around not getting paid. If you would like me to wait around then I would be happy to do so for a retainer. If you feel the problem will be sorted in a few days why don't we start a retainer from that date?" That should help you work out if the problems are genuine or if they are in a slow patch.

Frankly I'm smelling a rat. How on earth are they managing without this?

I think HMRC won't consider you self employed if you only work for one company so you need to check your position on that but, as others have said, this company are taking the proverbial and should be paying you a retainer if they want you exclusively.

Yabu to be cross with them

Be professional with them instead. You can absolutely be self employed and only have one client, but you are not tied to that client. You should have been looking for either other clients over the month or asked for a retainer to keep your services for the main client.

Well, in a glass half full way, this gives you the opportunity to sort out your employment situation .

IR34 (I think!) means you cannot only have one client. Otherwise everyone would go self employed because it would save employee tax and employer NI contributions, HR, support costs etc.

You therefore need to have at least one other client. Even if it is only an odd piece of work each month.

I would therefore talk to your client and explain this, and say you'll use the time while their system is down to find some more work. You're sure they'll understand, it's giving them HMRC protection, you haven't had any income for a month etc. But obviously they will always remain your priority going forward.