I have just been offered a position working as a training associate for a start up company. It all sounds very interesting but I've not been given anything formal about the offer as yet. Can anyone offer any advice about this? Is this normal? What can I expect from them? Also, if I only intend working for this one company, do I still need to become self employed? If so, what exactly must I do? Excuse my ignorance. All advice greatly received. Many Thanks
H
3 Responses
curiouser and curiouser
Dear H
At the risk of sounding unhelpful you are asking questions of the wrong people; you need to be asking the start up company.
It is not unheard of to be offered an associateship with no supporting detail but it can go rather belly-up if there isn’t a strong degree of alignment of expectations on both sides.
You haven’t mentioned your current employment situation and that will obviously have an effect as well.
You need to ask them some questions such as:
1. Are you guaranteeing any level of work?
2. Do you expect exclusivity or can I work for other people too?
3. What is the daily rate?
4. Do you pay expenses on top, if so at what rates?
5. Do you only pay for delivery or do you also pay for design and or taking briefs, selling etc.
6. What are the invoicing and payment arrangements? (weekly, monthly 28 days/60 days etc, BACS/CHAPS or cheque [or a brown paper bag full of used fivers!])
7. Do I need professional indemnity?
8. Sole trader or Ltd Co status?
9. Confidentiality and intellectual property?
10. As they are a start up is this purely a “punt”, or have they actually got a contract to service?
More questions than answers but I hope it helps.
There is a resource on http://www.coach-and-courses.com in Downloadable Resources, enetitled going it alone…you may find that useful too!
Rus
http://www.coach-and-courses.com
Training Associate Advice
Dear H,
Rus has provided excellent tips which I hope answer many of your questions.
Just a couple of things to add
1. I don’t know your exact situation but if you are going freelance it is quite dangerous to rely on working for one company alone. Putting all your eggs in one basket can lead to now work it things go badly wrong!
2.You definitely do need to become self employed – your first action should be to to find yourself a good accountant who will be able to advise it it’s best for you to become a limited co or a sole trader and will do all this for you
I have resources on my site http://thetrainerstrainingcompany.co.uk to help you including a free audio on How to Get Associate Work
If you need any further help please contact me
Kind Regards,
Sharon
another thing
Thanks both for your comments. I should add that I’ve recently been made redundant so whilst looking for work, I stumbled upon the chance to work as an associate, with at least 6 days work per month. This was what was in the advert. Yet, there’s been nothing formal to back this up. Is this the norm?