To start new job next week or not ?

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Hi all
I’m having a hard time making a decision and need some advice really on what would be the best thing to do ?

So I freelance and have been for 2 years and for the past 18 months I’ve been based at one work place. I initially went to cover one day however they like how I work and so every week they give me hours - however these hours aren’t set. It’s all based on how much I’m needed - so if there isn’t much work to do; they won’t call me in.

Last year this time while I was there; the business slowed right down and from September to April this year - things were tough. I didn’t get many hours from them as I wasn’t neeeded and the business wasn’t thriving so well so between that time I barely made any money. Literally about £300 per month. And that was before expenses.

This year I said to myself I don’t want to be in the same situation so I’ve been looking for work however in the last few weeks more so as again business is slowing down, I’m not getting much hours and even the days they call me in; if it’s not very busy, I have to leave early - again decreasing my pay and making it difficault to make ends meet.

I’ve been offered a new job; similar work, same self employed but better prospects and set hours and set days every week that I would be paid for. Also as much as business seems to be quiet; this new place is very busy and is it an affluent part of town, low staff turnover (I spoke to one of the staff members who has been there for 20 years since she graduated, I’ve also spoken to another staff who has been there for 7 years and told me the other colleague has been there for 5 years) and has been established for 35 years so the businesss is still booming.

Would I be wrong unreasonable to start this new place next week ?

The current place I’m at (the slower, casual business) have me down for a few days next week but again; only 3 hours a day and again it’s dependent on how busy they are; so if one of thier employed staff want to work an extra shift or if the business simply don’t need me to come in - I won’t be going in or earning any money.

The new business however are very keen to get me settled and introduce me to the team and get the ball rolling.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
Enjoy the new job 😁

Absolutely go for the new role! Assuming no notice to give if freelance? Be honest with them, don’t burn bridges, but do what’s right for you!

Best of luck in the new role :)

If the new place is offering as many hours as you want then I’d tell the other business that you are unavailable for a while and see how it goes. Freelancers can’t always be available, it’s kinda the point that they work for different companies, surely?

Thank you guys for your advice. I really appreciate it.

There’s no notice period but I wanted to give a few days notice as a nice gesture. I have done that in the past however and it backfired majorly so unsure of that. One part of me also feels like I’m not sure weather I should give notice as I honestly feel if they don’t need me they wouldn’t give me notice - they just tell me I’m not needed and they will let me know when they need me to cover. Also I’ve realised recently that as much as they like my work; it’s cheaper to bring me in for the few hours and get me to do all the work they want as I work fast and I’m thorough - whereas they have said when they have tried getting other freelancers in, they charge more and they have to pay an admin fee aswell as the other freelancers don’t do as much as I do as they are strictly there for cover. As I’ve been there for so long; I know the routine, I know how everything goes, they know how I work and they know I’m fast so they can make the most money from me even if I’m only doing 3/4 hours.
I’ve spoken to them multiple times about being employed as I wanted stability and holiday pay as I haven’t been able to go away for the past 2 years as if I don’t work I don’t get money and with limited hours (due to childcare) I only earn enough each week to JUST scrape by. They have said they can only employ me if I can commit to working until 8pm at least 3 days a week. Being a single parent and having limited childcare options; I can’t do it and so they have said they can’t employ me then. However I’ve been there for what feels like so long now and I’ve always been doing shorter days and similar hours - so I feel like they could have employed me however they don’t want to.

I think I’ll try what @Matilda said though and I will make myself unavailable for a few weeks to see how it goes and then I will see how it goes.

I’ve been offered a new job; similar work, same self employed but better prospects and set hours and set days every week that I would be paid for.

If they’re setting the working hours, HMRC may not agree that you are self employed.