Work Prospect
I’ve recently completed the independent contractor and new vendor paperwork required by a Big Publisher. It appears that I won’t be required to take an exam, which is a miracle in the world of freelance editing. Their paperwork sucked though, as they required proof of my independent contractor status—apparently they either have been slapped or else are paranoid about getting slapped by the IRS for not having clear proof that their freelance editors are freelance and not employees. I was asked to supply several items from two lists, which included things like my Schedule C, 1099 forms for other clients, business license, marketing materials, list of business assets, etc. I feel that this is rather invasive; I don’t think it’s any of their business whom I work for or how much money I make from my other clients.
Alas, I also feel over a barrel and in need of new clients, and so with a protest I provided personal information on their written assurance and reassurance that my info will be kept confidential. I told them that I had been a victim of identity theft before and had never before been asked for this type of personal information. I also blacked out dollar amounts.
On my freelance email list there was a recent discussion about this situation. Many freelance editors said they wouldn’t work for a client who required this of them. Many others said they did it because they wanted the client and it turned out to be a short-term inconvenience for a long-term payoff of good work and a good relationship. Some suggested trying to get by with a written statement that one is a freelance independent contractor/business owner who does business with multiple clients, yadda, yadda yadda.
Now, I’m hoping that they’ll (a) not be fuckers with my information, (b) send me a nice fat job that won’t suck, and (c) actually pay on a reasonable time line, unlike the last new-ish client I worked for. (I still haven’t been paid for any of the four copyedits I performed for them between end of April and the first week of June.)