Client treating you like an employee - any experience

[Lucky13]

I used to undertake work for a company on a retainer basis, which was fine as it was my DH's company. Things have changed and it is no longer his company, but they still wish me to undertake work for them.

They wish to change the working structure to quote for separate pieces of work, which I said I was happy to do. However this will be difficult for many things such as updates to documents, website etc, where updates will come at different times and may include minor or major changes.

They have stated in a letter that they will not pay for anything which has not been agreed down to the last penny. They will not accept anything other than fixed fees and much of the work cannot be done in this way without me losing out.

They now seem to treat me as an employee, dictating when I will be available for work (even though my other clients pay more and are flexible) and expect me to constantly be in contact about the work. The way in which they speak is very patronising and condescending and I have had enough.

I feel that as DH still works there they feel that they can treat me differently and expect much more than the usual working relationship that I am used to.

How can I politely say that I am not their employee and I will complete their work by the deadline and provide updates at mutually convenient times? Or should I just tell them to stick their work and hope that DH does not suffer?

How about telling them that you have had an influx of work from other clients and that you are sorry but won't be able to work on this basis for them. You are skilled at juggling priorities and have never let them down before and as such you need to be on your retainer. If not suitable, no problem to you, and you'll let it go.

Something like that? You know it's trouble when someone is like that. I have recently ended my relationship with my first ever client as they wanted to know everything down to last detail of what I'd been doing and so I knew the trust wasn't there and have declined to do any more work for them.

Felt awkward at the time but feel better for it now as you will too, when you land more of your other clients who pay you better and trust you.

two issues - the fixed-fee basis and the time management / availability.

personally i am not surprised at the fixed-fee basis, its how things are in many organisations. they will lose out as much as you if you don't do anything unless a price is agreed up-front. see it as an opportunity to negotiate a better rate - afterall work on a fixed fee basis has to be charged at a rate which mitigates the risk for you.

however your time management is none of their business and on that matter i'd be firm with them.

I would just really increase your quotes and they will hopefully take their business eslewhere!

Could you build you availability into the contract eg say that if they contact you by email regarding a piece of work that you will guarantee to be in touch with them within 3 working days to hear the details of the required work and at that point you will be able to advise the company of a timescale?

what does DH think?

BirdFromDaNorf - yes that may be the way to go. The new people working for the company have no respect for me even though they don't know me! I think I just need to tell them that it's no longer viable as it's not DH's business any more.

fluffles - I do lots of work on fixed fee basis and quite happy with that, but you can't work on that basis for something that you don't when or how often the work is required or how much time it will take - how can I possibly quote for that?

CarGirl - I can't really increase my costs - even though I would like them to say no, because they have already think that I am just taking money from DH's company without doing any work! If only they knew how much I actually do - but they don't want to hear it!

stealthcat - that would be fine, but they actually want the work as I go along and I hate giving over unfinished work which they will then go through, mark up and send back to me - it's like being at school! They don't want it at specific points in the project - just as and when - jump to it!

The new guys are just control freaks and I don't want to continue. DH thinks we need the money, but also understands if I say no :(

I think I will just finish up the existing work and say no to future work as BirdFromDaNorf said.

Are you sure you don't feel a bit disgruntled that this is no longer your DH's business? If you don't like the terms then you are free to turn down the work, but sometimes you just need to bit your lip and get on with it. Is your judgement clouded by the fact your status within the company has changed? It would be perfectly understandable.

llareggub - no it's not like that - we needed to expand, he is a part owner rather than full now.

I've have gone from being a respected part of the team to merely DH's wife, who might be good for a bit of typing etc rather than far more qualifications than they even understand.

I see.

Well, part of me thinks that you need to win their trust and approval by doing stellar work, and the other part of me thinks that it might well be worth walking away and developing freelance clients away from this business. Where would you ideally like to be in five years or so?

I hadn't quite understood the situation at first.

I think working out where you want to be in 12 months and then 5 years is a good way to approach it.

I was originally doing it as a favour for DH and only charging half my usual rate (and many days for free as well). Now the new guys are even questioning that!

I don't want to work for them in 5 years, but DH would still like some help for now. I just don't know if I can bear their sexist, patronising attitude towards me.

You're right I really need to have a good long think about it all. It's completely separate from my normal work (although I am qualified in both fields) and I would like to concentrate on my normal work.

If I go, I just don't know when or how to walk away without ruffling too many feathers in the originally team or causing problems for DH.

From what you are saying about the new people, I get the sense that they might be happy if you left? If they are questioning your fee, being unreasonable then they might be hoping that they annoy you so much that you just leave.
Maybe if this is an area that is new to them they might be unaware of normal working practices, fee rates etc, and so not aware that you are working at half normal rates.

call a meeting with them and put it on a professional basis - explain your terms and parameters of working clearly and succinctly - tell them that if they decide that someone else can fulfill their requirements more effectively you will be very happy to step aside

keep smiling sweetly

I agree with activate, you need to show them how much you would normally charge and your usual terms and conditions and that you have been offering them a reduced rate and you are quite happy to step aside if they'd be more comfortable employing a non-family member.

I think the key is in how you approach it so if the relationship is terminated it's them doing it not you.

Fixed fees are quite common really, so that's not too surprising.

You need to nail down exactly what you will do for the fee ie: I will create document x and will allow one set of amendments. Anything else is charged at £X per hour.