Self employed staff having too much time off!

[hartey]

Hello all, need some advice, we took on a girl on a self employed basis for two days a week, TUE n FRI, Today is her 4th tuesday not turning up and she has had 1 and a half fridays off, am i right in thinkin she is taking the micky? What are my options? ARRGGHH!!!

 

[fozzyo]

Even if she is self employed there should be a contract / agreement on working hours and expected hours. If she is not turning up and clients are being booked in with her then that causes a serious problem.

The first step I would take would be to have a fairly formal sit down and discussion, and point out if this continues then you will have no option then to terminate the agreement.

If it continues, give her fair notice (4weeks is usually more then adequate) and replace her with someone who will actually do the time to help their business and yours. Don't forget this is your business that is the public face, yours is the one that will ultimately suffer.

If needed talk to your associations about legal advice, or join one like the Federation of Small Businesses to get some.

Mat

 

[persianista]

That's the downside of self employed people in your salon. There is nothing you can do apart from give her notice to quit. It is only when you employ people that you can insist on their hours.

 

[hartey]

thank you for your informative (and quick) responses, I just feel let down. Heer reason for being off is water on the knee, then i find out she was at ikea on sunday and in a ball pit on monday!:irked:

 

[persianista]

If you want staff, you have to be an employer. She works for herself so can do what she likes. At least she didn't get paid for it!

 

[jes]

Is she paying you on a percentage or rent? If she's on a percentage she hasn't got any incentive to make her turn up. It's always best for a salon owner to take on self employed therapists on a fixed weekly rent, payable 52 weeks a year.

 

[chicchick]

As others have said, the downside of relying on self employed staff is that they can do pretty much as they please. As soon as you start putting requirements on them, the law will treat you as their employer anyway, with all the implications that provides. If your business really needs a well motivated busy committed member of staff (albeit part-time) that you can rely on, then quite frankly it is far better to steer clear of self employed arrangements. Your business is what matters. This person does not work for you or your business, and it really is up to them how they conduct their own business, so I'd have a complete rethink about your staffing arrangements from here on.

 

[allyballybee]

Is she paying you on a percentage or rent? If she's on a percentage she hasn't got any incentive to make her turn up. It's always best for a salon owner to take on self employed therapists on a fixed weekly rent, payable 52 weeks a year.

I think you right here, if she not working hard, at least you wouldn't be out of pocket.

 

[hartey]

sorry for bump but thanks for replies. Had a chat and all is going well, had some real bad personal times lately and need to find some decent employed staff so i can take some me time, Once again thanks for very informative replies.