11 Sep How Does HR Relate To Freelance Workers
In many situations, the answer to this question is simple – it doesn’t. If freelance workers are treated as independent entities rather than listed employees, they don’t get the same benefits but also aren’t necessarily under the same restrictions.
However, if a business has an HR department but uses freelance workers regularly throughout its operations, there will inevitably be some form of overlap. Therefore, assuming that there will be no connection at all might be detrimental to this potential relationship. Instead, supporting the freelance network might lead to the HR department in question being as effective as it can possibly be within that framework.
Hiring Checks
Your business might still be a point of reference for them should the freelance worker end up applying for work elsewhere. While the reference that is ultimately provided might not be as comprehensive as it would be for a regular employee due to the more independent nature of the work, simply confirming that they have worked with you can help with the process.
It could also be the other way around – it might be that your business is tasked with enlisting some freelance workers for a project. A situation such as a business providing Magento SEO services might be one where such action is called for, and in that case, it may be the role of the HR department to post jobs, conduct the hiring process and inform the individual what is involved with the role.
Mitigating Conflicts
Some areas are going to be familiar to those in HR, such as when a conflict arises between the worker and management – leading you to step in as mediator. In this regard, the actual nature of the task might not be too different – you’re trying to understand the causes of the dispute, and that might lead you to trying to come up with solutions that can please both parties, or inform one side of why they might be mistaken in their approach. However, it’s again worth keeping in mind the differences that come with employment and self-employment, as a freelance worker might not be subject to the same rules or restrictions as others and this could affect the meditation.
Explaining to Managers
While the differences between freelance workers and regular employees might be plain to see for those working in HR, there is a chance that the management might not be as informed. This all depends on the structure of the business, of course, and whether working with freelancers is the norm for this particular company. There are benefits to managers hiring freelance workers, such as the lack of contract, strict salary and benefits that need to be provided, but this does come with an increased amount of flexibility on the side of the freelance worker. This leads to a fundamentally different working relationship with the employer, and that can in itself lead to conflicts. Before these conflicts form, however, doing your best to convey to your managers the differences in the situation might help to keep things running smoothly.
About The Author
James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.
