The impartial workforce makes up over a 3rd of the nation, with New York being dwelling to the biggest inhabitants of impartial contractors. We proceed to see the real-world penalties of NYC’s groundbreaking Freelance Isn’t Free Regulation 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 could have comparable safe-guards to obtain well timed cost and be free from exploitation till that is handed statewide.
The Freelance Isn’t Free Act was signed into regulation 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 firms round participating with freelance expertise in a method that’s equally helpful to each events.For instance, in case you’re a freelancer who lives and works in Lengthy Island and contracts with a shopper exterior of the 5 NYC boroughs, you are actually protected beneath Freelance Isn’t Free, simply as an NYC freelancer can be.
Right here’s what it’s good to know in regards to the regulation:
- Who’s a “freelance employee”? A contract employee is outlined as any individual or any group composed of no multiple individual employed as an impartial contractor to supply providers valued at the least $800. Whether or not the individual employed performs the providers in query beneath a company identify or their very own authorized identify 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 cost deadline, which brings readability and transparency to freelance engagements.
- Well timed Cost: Underneath this laws, freelancers should obtain cost inside 30 days of finishing their work, except 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 worry of retaliation from the hiring social gathering. This safety is essential for sustaining a good and respectful working surroundings.
- The regulation covers all freelancers positioned in New York State, no matter whether or not their shopper is positioned in NY.
- How do I file a grievance? Go to the Lawyer Basic’s website at https://formsnym.ag.ny.gov/OAGOnlineSubmissionForm/faces/OAGLBHome and file a grievance beneath “Unpaid wages or different labor-related subject”
By setting these requirements, the Freelance Isn’t Free Act helps freelancers whereas additionally guiding firms in establishing honest practices for hiring and collaborating with freelance expertise.
To rejoice 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 Trade Metropolis: https://types.gle/WgSpPsm5ctRTmRqZA
And are available co-work totally free on the Freelancers Hub after: https://freelancershub.simplybook.me/v2/
