Hey folks! If you're #hiring, please keep in mind that there are LEGAL differences between hiring an employee who is on your payroll and a consultant - who is not. If you're looking for someone who will work a specific set of hours during the day, you should be hiring an employee, not a consultant. If you're looking for someone who can rapid-fire respond to emails and phone calls, you're looking for an employee, not a consultant. If you're looking for someone who can drop everything for you, please hire an employee, not a consultant. If you're hiring someone for their expertise just to tell them they're wrong, at least be sure that person is on your payroll - and not a consultant. The legal difference is that consultants are allowed to choose where they work, when they work, and the manner in which that work is completed. *And if you're engaging in any of the above, you should also just not hire anyone and reevaluate your life if that's how you treat people 😜 P.S. Consultants - what else goes on this list? #Consulting #Hiring #fractional #Consultant
For consultants, you also need to be aware of weekly hour expectations. Depending on the state (I'm not an expert on this), if you go beyond a certain number of hours, say more than 20 hours/week, over a certain number of weeks, it can be illegal as the company is trying to usurp hiring you and providing benefits.
If a company has a clear plan and solid processes in place, an employee can execute that well. The skills a consultant uses to build that plan and process don't always translate well to long-term execution.
CEO | CFO | Ex-Special Ops | SaaS, Cleantech, Biotech | EU, APAC, SEA, MEA
8moI have found using a retainer, a solid SOW, and/or an engagement letter takes care of these kind of issues. I will take your fire drill call on a Saturday, but it will cost you 1.5x my hourly rate, all clearly specified. If you want my full availability that is negotiated, and again, specified in the documentation. Set the business conditions upfront, you take of these issues.