Two jobs - Freelance/contracting

PlutoinCapricorn

These things have a way of getting out: there was a charity fundraiser who did something similar and he was prosecuted for fraud.

As a freelancer myself, I agree a lump sum and a completion date with my clients for an assignment and the rest is up to me. This is how I capitalise on my ability to work much faster than the average employee. I may fit two clients into one week, but I do not shortchange anyone. When people, employees in particular, are paid for the standard 7-hour day and they finish early, they are expected to take on more work to fill the quota. Anything else seems like fraud to me.

easy

gb12345 wrote: »

In effect you are committing fraud - your timesheets/invoices are charging them for hours that you have not worked.
......

Ultimately, it comes down to your morals and conscience. I can sleep easy at night knowing that I won't be woken in the early hours of the morning by the police investigating a fraud case - can you?

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

These things have a way of getting out: there was a charity fundraiser who did something similar and he was prosecuted for fraud.

I'm sorry, but I have to say these 2 posters are way off line.

If you are truly a freelancer, then I presume, you are self employed and submit self-employment tax returns to HMRC. One of HMRC's many criteria of being self employed is that you set your own hours of work. This is what you are doing, and you are charging your clients accordingly. Your clients are apparently happy to pay you a daily rate, and apparently happy with the results you bring.

I don't think you are defrauding anybody, UNLESS you are giving either of your clients a breakdown of how you spend your day, and actually lying to them on it. You certainly don't suggest this is the case in your first post.
I congratulate you on your hard work and success in these hard economic times.

The secret of managing your clients is simply to be REALLY well organised, make sure you document well where you are with each one, what they owe you, when they pay you, and be really tough on yourself with time management. Get that wrong and it all becomes stressful.
Also beware of the danger of over-stretching yourself. Remember that life is for living, not just for working, so make time for friends, family and me-time too. Making good money is great, but don't make it the be-all-and-end-all of your life.

Good luck.

stphnstevey

Thanks for your comments Easy :beer:

stphnstevey

I will actually be doing about a 35 hr week for both clients as I will work 11hr days 7am-7pm Mon-Sat. So effectively I am not cheating either client out of the work, just doing the work consecutively