To be peeved that seen my job advertised for higher salary

[secrethedgehog]

Name changed for this.
Have been working for one employer, on self employed basis , for about 8 years. No holiday, NI, training funded etc as self employed.( also work elsewhere )
I get paid £31/hr.
Have just seen advert on Facebook for exactly my role, same employer with salary of 20 to 35/hr plus holiday etc.
Not blowing my own trumpet but there's nothing anyone could offer that I don't, I'm very experienced, reliable and can do anything required of anyone in my role.
So AIBU to go in on Monday and announce I'm putting my rates up to £35/hr.

I wouldn't announce it without a discussion first. Would you prefer a salary?

If you're in the UK then you are not self employed. You're an employee by your own description and HMRC could have a field day. And you can claim back holiday pay possibly for the whole time you have been there.
Why are you self employed? Why not ask them first why they are not taking you on as an employee?

Why don't you apply for the job?

Of course you’re not unreasonable. You’re self-employed, they’ve indicated they’ll pay up to £35 p/hr, why wouldn’t you ask for a discussion?

Apply for it

I would apply for it on the grounds that you are working for them in a self employed capacity.

Once they have permanent staff doing your role your position is less secure.

Yep agree with @oblada
sounds like you’re technically an employee, so why not just apply for the job?

In reality I doubt they would pay £35 per hour, it’s just there to get people interested. £20 to £35 is a big range. If this new role is for self employed and is offering holidays, I certainly wouldn’t be happy and would bring this up, as this can amount to a lot.

It could back fire on you. You are already in the top half of the proposed pay range. They have started at 20. If you tell them you are increasing your fees, be prepared for them to say “no thank you. We are interviewing someone tomorrow who is prepared to do the same job for 20 or 25”. If you’re self-employed, truly self-employed, then they owe you no loyalty and are not obliged to keep using your services.

It says the OP also works elsewhere.

Being self employed was my choice, originally was only planning on working there a short while
I don't want to be employed. I had a really bad experience with an employer in the past and in my head It makes me feel trapped.
I mention the employed/self employed bit purely to show I cost them less than an employee
I pay all my taxes etc and as far as I know follow all the relevant rules. This is something a lot of people do in my industry.
I would however like the same hourly rate as someone with equal level of ability coming in to the role.
Agree a discussion is the way forward

Just working elsewhere does not satisfy the requirements to be classified as SE, there is so much more to it than that.
You can say you are upping your rate OP but they can accept it or not and you can decide whether to stay there or not

I'm pretty sure they are expecting to pay new employee at the bottom end also they may feel safer with someone more permanent

Even if it was your choice to be SE your employer could get in a lot of trouble from HMRC. And you can claim back pay holiday.
Time to negotiate.

Alison - yes I read that. Really not very relevant.

Of course you can charge what you like, however having worked for them for 8 years surely they cant be that bad of an employer therefore I agree with other PP in saying why dont you apply for the job.

I have no worries about job security, there is a massive staffing crisis in my industry and they want to open a new branch hence looking for more staff. Pretty much would have to turn up drunk and naked for them to not need me plus I'm old, have a good pension and only really keep working there as it's a nice place to work.
I think I'm peeved as boss told me about the advert, because she wanted me to do a video testimonial thing to encourage people to apply, so knew I would see it. On the other hand I think it was just thoughtlessness on her part.

Employer will be looking to pay closer to £20 not £35 and will therefore not be looking to pay you £35. I would approach any conversation carefully.

Well, yes - this really. No chance will they be starting someone new off on £35.00. They'll want someone at the bottom end of the scale.

Btw, OP, if. you are self-employed and they are advertising for your role, are you quite sure they're not intending to replace you with a cheaper warm body? .

I've been self-employed for 20 years and know that few, if any, have any loyalty to freelancers.

In my industry, freelancers or those working as consultants usually get a higher hourly rate than staff - to make up for the no holiday / sick pay, having to file own taxes and generally less job security.

Could you go down this route to negotiate your hourly rate?

Does the higher rate or the holiday pay make more difference to you? Have a think what you want before you discuss.

It's also really not a choice as to whether you are self employed or not, it is entirely reliant on the facts, contractual and actual, of the engagement.

This has no real relevance to the OP in terms of her risk, as the risk (HMRC) is almost all on the engager.
OP could, if the facts are employment, make a holiday pay claim against the engager.