Self Employed - Being Ill

SoundEng

SoundEng

SoundEng

Soldato
Joined
4 Mar 2008
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Location
Wandsworth
Hi all,

Just wanted to pick your brains on this (obviously I understand different industries will have different 'done things' with regards to this, but hopefully general principle should be relevant).

I've just started out freelancing in live events (started in June) and hadnt properly thought about this until now as I've not been ill for 5 years. But I seemed to have picked up something pretty nasty yesterday and was up all night and now unable to even sit upright.

I'm meant to be on two jobs tomorrow, but have had to cancel which I obviously feel not great about, but as I don't know if I'll feel any better tomorrow I thought it was best to give 24 hours notice.

So yeah just wanted to know really what anyone who's self employed does to mitigate inconvenience to clients when something like this happens?

Cheers

Ali
 
There is something called Key Man Insurance, but this is typically reserved for death or critical illness, not a few days out sick. There maybe policies for that but i imagine they would be prohibitively expensive
 
Professions such as photography normally have options in place where they can effectively tender out their own work if they're unable to fulfil the contract. Perhaps you could consider something similar? Clearly not without risk (shoddy job done, business taken away from you) but you're meeting your obligations.

Or just speak to them to see if they can be flexible?
 
Yeah I've contacted a few people as that seems to be standard practice.

First client took a '**** happens approach ' which is a relief second client was less happy but hopefully I can find someone.

Just don't know the best way to mitigate against it in the future...
 
Depends how the job was planned in the first instance I guess. If you we're only booked Friday then I'd of thought you were booked because another tech or freelancer has pulled out last minute. In the live events industry a lot of work is based on reputation. I know you can't pick or choose when you're ill but it will certainly has a knock on effect with those clients.

Like you said though, you get different responses from clients. Always good to recommend a back up tech though, saves the client a bit of work.

That said, trust me your details, can pass them to the PM's. We're always after techs and freelancers :)
 
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hellarda said:
Hi all,

Just wanted to pick your brains on this (obviously I understand different industries will have different 'done things' with regards to this, but hopefully general principle should be relevant).

I've just started out freelancing in live events (started in June) and hadnt properly thought about this until now as I've not been ill for 5 years. But I seemed to have picked up something pretty nasty yesterday and was up all night and now unable to even sit upright.

I'm meant to be on two jobs tomorrow, but have had to cancel which I obviously feel not great about, but as I don't know if I'll feel any better tomorrow I thought it was best to give 24 hours notice.

So yeah just wanted to know really what anyone who's self employed does to mitigate inconvenience to clients when something like this happens?

Cheers

Ali
Click to expand...

I pay over £50k per year to have a few of guys on standby just incase any subbies/staff don't turn in. Illness when being self employed is different to illness knowing you'll still have a job after you get over your hangover!!!

The harsh reality is you may have lost those two customers for life after letting them down.

My industry may be different though we HAVE to complete our tasks EVERY night. If we don't lives may be lost!!
 
hellarda said:
Just don't know the best way to mitigate against it in the future...
Click to expand...

You can't. All you can do is be honest and say you're ill and will make it up to them when you're better if they're still interested. Whatever you do don't make up excuses or lie even if you think you're doing them a favour because it will come back to bite you in the arse.
 
mattyg said:
I pay over £50k per year to have a few of guys on standby just incase any subbies/staff don't turn in. Illness when being self employed is different to illness knowing you'll still have a job after you get over your hangover!!!

The harsh reality is you may have lost those two customers for life after letting them down.

My industry may be different though we HAVE to complete our tasks EVERY night. If we don't lives may be lost!!
Click to expand...

Indeed, hoping not as have managed to find cover for both now. But I suppose it happens.
 
Blackjack Davy said:
You can't. All you can do is be honest and say you're ill and will make it up to them when you're better if they're still interested. Whatever you do don't make up excuses or lie even if you think you're doing them a favour because it will come back to bite you in the arse.
Click to expand...

Yep no haven't lied about anything and have been very apologetic. I know how inconvenient it can be, but seemed relatively understanding so hopefully all good.

Was just interested to see what others did
 
eddie101 said:
Depends how the job was planned in the first instance I guess. If you we're only booked Friday then I'd of though you were booked because another tech or freelancer has pulled out last minute. In the live events industry a lot of work is based on reputation. I know you can't pick or choose when you're ill but it will certainly has a knock on effect with those clients.

Like you said though, you get different responses from clients. Always good to recommend a back up tech though, saves the client a bit of work.

That said, trust me your details, can pass them to the PM's. We're always after techs and freelancers :)
Click to expand...

Tell me about it! I know it's all reputation and bad (and good!) Stuff spreads like wild fire! Have managed to sort both now so hopefully all good :)

Thanks mate that's a very kind offer, appreciated - I will send you a trust later as soon as I can manage to look at a screen for more than 5 seconds without feeling ill!
 
eddie101 said:
Depends how the job was planned in the first instance I guess. If you we're only booked Friday then I'd of thought you were booked because another tech or freelancer has pulled out last minute. In the live events industry a lot of work is based on reputation. I know you can't pick or choose when you're ill but it will certainly has a knock on effect with those clients.

Like you said though, you get different responses from clients. Always good to recommend a back up tech though, saves the client a bit of work.

That said, trust me your details, can pass them to the PM's. We're always after techs and freelancers :)
Click to expand...

Have sent you a trust :)
 
Best practice is to have someone you can outsource to in such an instance... even if you're left a little bit out of pocket in those instances (depending on your rate it may be possible to slightly profit from it)... it's best to do that because you show your reliability even if it's not you there - you still covered the job so they know they can rely on you and will come back to you because of the comfort feeling that creates.
 
Looking for a partner is an option, but also massive risks. A better way is to try to make contacts where you can sub for each other if required. You may pick up some extra work that way too.
 
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