Can a client insist on a schedule if you were hired as a contractor? -

I have my own marketing business. Business has been slower than usual. I had an opportunity where a very large well known company was considering a contractor for a position that had previously been filled by an employer because they couldn t find someone with the amount of experience they needed for the money they were offering. My partners wanted me to take the job because it would look good on our client list so I did. The first day I was told the bosses didn t want a contractor and I was asked if I could come in daily as opposed from doing the job from our own office to make them more at ease. Since it was only for a few months I reluctantly agreed assuming if I needed to adjust that schedule they would understand. I was allowed to choose the hours. As I started learning the job I realized there were many things that came up outside of those hours. I also started realizing that I wasn t getting paid for parking or commute times which was getting costly, and the hours I was given was not sufficient to get most of the tasks done. Since I am usually used to just doing what it takes to get the job done, that is what I have been doing. I do a lot of work outside of the normal hours and don t bill for it. I have made them money and are saving them a lot of money. So when I needed to make changes to my schedule to accommodate other clients, I was told that wasn t acceptable even though were getting the same hours for free essentially. I was also scolded for being a few minutes late from time to time even though I don t get parking privileges and have the added struggle of having to find parking. Apparently the employees have been complaining. I was warned by a mentor to never allow a client to set hours because then they will start treating you like an employee and when you don t have the benefits of one you will lose time and money. I can see that now. When I said something I was made to feel like I wasn t honoring my word and that they had the right to give me a schedule and that I knew the situation when I agreed to the job. Are they really allowed to give you hours? DO you think I am being taken advantage of?

Yes you are being taken advantage of.They appear to want the best of both worlds (employee vs contractor).I think that if you can afford to lose this account, you should renegotiate your deal.