MichiganBob
Junior Member
justalayman, we are dealing with a multibillion consumer products company. I was a manager there for 5 years in the early 90's. At the time there was a directive that no new billets would be approved. To fill the gap we used IC's, freelancers. Some of them worked for us 8-10 months out of the year on the complex under direct supervision for many years. After a number of years upper management informed us that IC's had to prove that they had other customers. We had to keep a file on each person with a business card and other "proof" that they had other clients. Eventually our IC's had to go through Manpower.
Many others in the company had offices, computers, phones, email, and worked there year round. Around 10 years ago there was a major downsizing and many of the downsized services were purchased from outside vendors.
I became one of those vendors providing video production services. I started my own company. Much of my work has been for my old company but it has all been done in my own facility or on location. They hire me as an outside vendor. I quote on individual jobs. A few years ago when the economy soured I downsized and am now a sole proprietor. I worked less than 50 days for them last year. They now appear to be saying that my status is questionable and it appears that in the future I must go through a staffing agency for all my work, even though I have other clients and in no way see myself as an employee.
There are other businesses and individuals onn the list that are in no way employees. I fear that if I refuse to agree to the half dozen or so background checks they will refuse to work with me anymore or if I do agree i may be compromising my business and my standing with my other clients. In the creative industry, Art Directors and Marketing Departments are always looking for fresh talent. They may choose to give a $50K assignment to a nineteen year old. This would be a coup for that young person and would be most of their income for the year. Like someone paying a starving artist a lot of money for a painting. that might be their only sale for the year. Sorry for the rambling answer. I'm really wigged out about this.
Many others in the company had offices, computers, phones, email, and worked there year round. Around 10 years ago there was a major downsizing and many of the downsized services were purchased from outside vendors.
I became one of those vendors providing video production services. I started my own company. Much of my work has been for my old company but it has all been done in my own facility or on location. They hire me as an outside vendor. I quote on individual jobs. A few years ago when the economy soured I downsized and am now a sole proprietor. I worked less than 50 days for them last year. They now appear to be saying that my status is questionable and it appears that in the future I must go through a staffing agency for all my work, even though I have other clients and in no way see myself as an employee.
There are other businesses and individuals onn the list that are in no way employees. I fear that if I refuse to agree to the half dozen or so background checks they will refuse to work with me anymore or if I do agree i may be compromising my business and my standing with my other clients. In the creative industry, Art Directors and Marketing Departments are always looking for fresh talent. They may choose to give a $50K assignment to a nineteen year old. This would be a coup for that young person and would be most of their income for the year. Like someone paying a starving artist a lot of money for a painting. that might be their only sale for the year. Sorry for the rambling answer. I'm really wigged out about this.
