The unbiased workforce makes up over a 3rd of the nation, with New York being residence to the biggest inhabitants of unbiased contractors. We proceed to see the real-world penalties of NYC’s groundbreaking Freelance Isn’t Free Legislation that has protected over 2,500 freelancers and recovered over $3 million in owed compensation for his or her work in New York Metropolis – Now, freelancers throughout New York State may have comparable safe-guards to obtain well timed fee and be free from exploitation till that is handed statewide.
The Freelance Isn’t Free Act was signed into legislation in November 2023 and went into impact on August 28, 2024. This laws serves as a beacon of rights and protections for freelancers and readability for corporations round participating with freelance expertise in a means that’s equally helpful to each events.For instance, for those who’re a freelancer who lives and works in Lengthy Island and contracts with a consumer outdoors of the 5 NYC boroughs, you at the moment are protected beneath Freelance Isn’t Free, simply as an NYC freelancer can be.
Right here’s what you must know in regards to the legislation:
- Who’s a “freelance employee”? A contract employee is outlined as any particular person or any group composed of no multiple particular person employed as an unbiased contractor to offer providers valued at the very least $800. Whether or not the particular person employed performs the providers in query beneath a company title or their very own authorized title is irrelevant.
- Written Contract Mandate: The Act requires anybody that engages a contract employee to carry out providers for them to scale back the settlement to writing. This contract should define the scope of labor, the speed of pay and the fee deadline, which brings readability and transparency to freelance engagements.
- Well timed Cost: Underneath this laws, freelancers should obtain fee inside 30 days of finishing their work, until in any other case specified within the contract. This provision ensures freelancers can handle their funds with out undue delays.
- Safety Towards Retaliation: The Act permits freelancers to implement their rights with out concern of retaliation from the hiring occasion. This safety is essential for sustaining a good and respectful working surroundings.
- The legislation covers all freelancers positioned in New York State, no matter whether or not their consumer is positioned in NY.
- How do I file a grievance? Go to the Legal professional Common’s website at https://formsnym.ag.ny.gov/OAGOnlineSubmissionForm/faces/OAGLBHome and file a grievance beneath “Unpaid wages or different labor-related problem”
By setting these requirements, the Freelance Isn’t Free Act helps freelancers whereas additionally guiding corporations in establishing truthful practices for hiring and collaborating with freelance expertise.
To have fun the enactment of those protections, be part of us with State Senator Andrew Gounardes, DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga, Comptroller Brad Lander, and all of our allies to assist unfold the phrase so freelancers throughout the state know that they’re now protected! RSVP to fulfill with us on the Freelancers Hub in Business Metropolis: https://types.gle/WgSpPsm5ctRTmRqZA
And are available co-work free of charge on the Freelancers Hub after: https://freelancershub.simplybook.me/v2/
