Working with no contract - is it a problem?

[Fred Bloggs]

Cry? Vodka?

I really don't think it's going to happen - if it does I'll come out of the experience wiser, poorer, and a whole lot more cynical!

Good luck, sounds like IR35 is a non-issue for you.

[Alf W]

No contract, no show!

Do you think ClientCo do work for their clients without some sort of contract being in place first?

Once tools are downed the contract usually shows up pretty quickly.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Arrange a meeting

The trouble with working remotely is "out of sight: out of mind", maybe you should go in more often?

[d000hg]

No.... I sent my invoice end of month, mentioned it when I was in last week and the accounts lady told me they pay after 30 days. Not ideal, but didn't seem worth rocking the boat over...

The accounts lady is not in charge of you getting paid. She's used to paying 30 days in arrears but if her boss tells her to pay immediately, she will.

If you are not under contract it's fair to politely demand quick payment - weekly within a week - until you have something signed that say otherwise. Don't be an arse, just state it is how you will work.

[Hex]

As mentioned earlier, if you've sent them a contract and have started work then that will most likely be the contract that is deemed to be in place for the work being performed. It would be better to have a signed copy though.

If you sent the contract to them, then your contract would have stated the payment terms. It doesn't matter what their accounts department does usually, if your contract says pay 7 days after invoice then that's what they must do. If your contract does not stipulate the payment terms then I believe they default to payment within 30 days of invoice. After that you can start chasing and applying late payment interest.

It may be easier just to put up with their payment frequencies though if they are not too far away from what you want.

[mudskipper]

Thanks all - I'll push to get it signed next week. No - it didn't specify payment terms - next time I'll know to get this one covered.

[thunderlizard]

Once tools are downed the contract usually shows up pretty quickly.

That is absolutely right. As long as you're turning up every day they'll be happy with the status quo, and have no reason to change things by signing a contract.

Direct contracts are usually much further outside IR35 than agency ones because there's no agent there to shoehorn you into the 1-man temping model (agents will tell you the opposite of course). You need to be more concerned with the business risks - non-payment, quality disputes, intellectual property rights etc.