'Freelance' and redundancy

WatlingA5

I've been working three days a week (occasionally four) for just one firm for 2yr 3mth, being paid by BACS, and personally responsible for dealing with tax and NI contributions, though NI is irrelevant since I'm over 65. When I started, the local tax office recommended I register as self-employed, which I did.

Last month, we got an email saying that "due to significant changes" the freelance rota had had to be re-examined and "it is with regret I have to inform you that I will no longer be able to use freelances. Therefore the rota will end on July 23." We were told to bill for four weeks pay as notice pay.

I'm sure I read somewhere that working on this basis for a single firm for over two years entitled the "freelance" to severance pay - albeit limited - but I can't find it on any of the obvious websites.

I expected to eventually get a formal letter from the company, but there has been nothing "official" since that email. It's difficult to ascertain how many people are affected since we were scattered among a number of offices all over the region, but I know I'm one of at least five in just two offices.

I would appreciate a pointer towards finding out if indeed we are entitled to anything.

McKneff

Are you sure your not thinking about the 2 years redundancy rule. I have never heard/seen anything about freelance severance pay. If this is the case i believe because you are over 65 (pension age) then it does not apply but i am quite happy to be corrected.

If your freelance i would have thought that they didnt even need to give you four weeks notice pay. Did you have any contracts?

WatlingA5

I guess you're right

Thanks for the response, anyway!

bendix

If you're freelance, you are not staff. The fact that you have paid your own tax and NI is testament to that. You have a business relationship with the company, not an employer / employee on. As such, sadly, you are not entitled to any redundancy payment.