Understanding Wage Issues for Freelancers
Wage issues are some of the most pressing legal matters that freelancers and independent contractors face. One of the main reasons that creative professionals often sign contracts instead of operating under verbal agreements or “gentleman’s deals” is that they want their relationships with employers to be carefully documented. However, no matter how many contracts you have, wage disputes can and do happen. Consider the following: Freelancers are not the only creative professionals who may find themselves in a situation where they need to understand the possibility of suing a company for unpaid wages. While there are a number of “best practices” that all talent professionals should follow to get paid, there will always be exceptions.
One of the most important things for talent professionals to do when it comes to wages is to sit down with their legal professionals and figure out who is responsible for basic responsibilities like payroll and wage statements and when it’s time to go elsewhere for those services. Whether your dispute centers around unpaid or missing wages becoming an issue, all talent professionals should take a moment to consider how their creative strategies can turn into legal strategies when there’s no one else to pay their wages.
By using creative tactics like the ones previously mentioned, you can turn to creative negotiation strategies to settle any disputes that come up during your work. Additionally, you can turn to creative contract negotiation if you’re unsure about what’s going into your contract. By taking steps to make sure that everyone involved is on the same page, talents will be in a better position to prove that they deserve their wages.
One of the main reasons why many creative professionals fear the prospect of litigation is that they don’t understand the court system. In many cases, whether or not you can take legal action against a company for not paying you depends on the jurisdiction where you are suing and the type of lawsuit you are filing. Creative professionals should take the time to consult with an employment lawyer before suing anyone even if they cannot afford to pay them. Since everyone deserves the chance to get paid, there are lawyers who are willing to discuss “can I sue a company for not paying me” without requiring upfront fees.