At TailorMinds, in addition to meetings with potential employees, we regularly have valuable discussions with self-employed professionals. These discussions have, on more than one occasion, led to an interesting and challenging project, marking the start of our collaboration. Michiel, a self-employed professional with whom we have successfully collaborated on various projects several times over the past few years, recently joined us.
Projects in particular
Whilst our services are primarily focused on filling vacancies for our clients, our collaboration with self-employed professionals is solely focused on project-based work. This is mainly due to legal considerations: if, as a self-employed professional, you work in the role of a vacancy, it is virtually impossible to demonstrate that you are not working under the direction and supervision of the client. Under the DBA Act, this conflicts with the self-employed professional’s entrepreneurial freedom, as they themselves determine how to carry out the work once the project scope has been agreed with our client.
Self-employment under the SNA quality certification
Since the start of this year, the NEN 4400 requirements that must be met regarding the deployment of self-employed persons within the SNA quality standard have been significantly expanded. In addition to the aforementioned criteria, these focus on providing evidence of the self-employed person’s entrepreneurship. For example, the Tax and Customs Administration’s website features an entrepreneurship assessment form which must be completed and submitted. Furthermore, the online presence of the business established by the self-employed person through a website is a good indicator. This is further supplemented by evidence of a package of insurance policies, including professional and public liability insurance. Taken individually, these elements do not constitute proof; however, taken together, they provide a good indication that the self-employed person is indeed an entrepreneur.
In practice
In practice, for TailorMinds, this does not mean much more than the administrative verifiability of these details and their recording within the network. We have worked, and continue to work, primarily with self-employed professionals in senior roles. This is mainly because, in these roles, the project-based nature of the work and the individual’s autonomy over how the work is carried out are a given. Furthermore, such assignments are challenging for the self-employed professional because they take the pressure off our client, provide consultancy or implementation services, and then move on to the next assignment.
Working with TailorMinds
TailorMinds is keen to work with self-employed professionals on this basis. We are confident that we can offer self-employed professionals added value in finding a suitable challenge and providing support throughout projects. You can read about how we do this at: https://tailorminds.com/freelancers/
Are you a self-employed professional, project manager or consultant working in the chemical, food or pharmaceutical sectors and looking for your next assignment? If so, please get in touch with us.
