Pros
-Flexible if I need to take the time off
Cons
- I work with exactly the same hours and expectations as my employed colleague and have my rate of pay set by the organisation, as well as my weekly hours and schedule. I work independently in an intensive mental health service and get no supervision unlike my employed colleague (everyone working in mental health services should have access to supervision). I am a central part of the workforce providing half the hours of advocacy at the setting (my employed colleague provides the other half). I'm expected to go to organisational review meetings but I am on a "self-employed contract" meaning I get no benefits, sick pay, holiday pay, protections, materntity leave or any other benefits. The only "benefit" I get is that I can take days off if I want to - without any problems - but of course, these all go unpaid whether it's by choice or because I'm sick etc. It is an unfair way of the organisation saving money through not having to provide benefits and when I was asked if I could move onto an employed contract after raising my grievances with this unfair working arrangement and the fact that my modus operandi reflects a worker of employed status, I was told, flat out, no. I was also told that if I want to undertake the formal advocacy training, which was outlined as being mandatory in my contract, I would have to pay towards it. Again, my employed colleague got to do it for free.