Advice for autistic freelancers on how to protect yourself from high-risk clients.
As an autistic adult, the wok place is complicated and stressful to navigate. In the freelance world, you are surrounded by people and companies that want to take advantage of this, somewhat vulnerable position.
Freelancers and contractors get to by your own boss, but sometimes companies feel they can drain you dry.
Freelance myths
Being a freelancer means you’re desperate for work. This is a misconception and a dangerous one for contract workers. Working as a freelancer or owning your own small business doesn’t mean you are desperate for money. There is a lack of respect that freelancers face when companies try to haggle, dispute or refuse to pay them for work rendered.
Everyone needs a job, and working for an independent agency means you have the drive to build something new and sustainable for yourself.
Freelancing means you have to get paid when the job is done. No! This is actually a dangerous practice that makes the freelancer vulnerable. Too often, companies or individuals will get services from contract workers and not pay them. You may work 10 hours or 40 hours and the company refuses to pay you.
Laws around contractors differ from state to state and it is important to know your laws before accepting gigs.
Freelancers protect yourself
As a freelance or contract worker there are two things we strongly recommend you do:
Have a contract. No matter how small the job have your operating standards in writing. The amount you are charging, how refunds work, how you accept payments, and how the contract will be or can be terminated. Having a signed contract may seem like a tedious process, but it protects your time and money in the long run.
Get paid in advance or require a deposit. Depending on the size of the job, get paid in advance or have a deposit required from the company or individual before you start work. This prevents you from getting your time wasted by company nonpayment.
Client red flags
Haggling. When you have set prices and a client is constantly asking for discounts or trying to change the price, you may not want to keep working with them. If you have stated your price and they are not respecting your operations, that is a high-risk client.
There may be a time when they don’t pay you or they may leave negative reviews on your services which can harm your ability to get work on platforms like Upwork and Fivver.
Asking for your time without payment. If a client is reaching out to you after all invoices have been paid, you are communicating with them for free. In some cases, this is reasonable especially if it is a discussion of an upcoming project. However, if the person has not committed to any more services, they are constantly asking for information and process on services, but not booking a project with you, they are not respecting your business.
There is no such thing as free advice when you are a contractor. At a business, this person would be charged for the communications, so don’t be afraid to set the boundary and bill the client for the hours you’re spending speaking via email, text, zoom, or phone.
Hire neurodivergent
We strongly believe that companies should hire neurodivergent employees and freelancers to work for them. It is important to support neurodivergent entrepreneurs and small business owners since the workplace is often not accessible to them.
As a company, you must remember that respect is key. A contractor is no less valuable than a full-time employee.
Respect their time
Respect their prices
Respect their company/services
As a freelancer, protect yourself! Remember that some people are dishonest, so always protect your finances first.
Business can be a pool of sharks, so as a contractor keep yourself aware of what may be swimming in your waters.
Tas The Artist 
Leave a comment