Self Employed Hours and Pay

TinkerBellaBella

Hi,
I work from home as a self employed Secretary PA.
I make myself available during and out of business hours and at weekends for a specific CEO. I only get paid for the work I do and log the calls/emails etc.. which I carry out and send a detailed spreadsheet and bill at the end of the month. 
Even though I bill just for the work I do, I am expected to be available particularly during business hours to answer calls and reply to emails.
Do you think it’s reasonable to invoice for just the work I do, or should I be invoicing for a full day, as I’m expected to be available to take calls and reply to emails? 
Any advice would be much appreciated.

JGB1955

What does your contract with the CEO say?

On-the-coast

You're self-employed - so you define what is reasonable.  
Amend your contract/arrangement to make it reasonable to you if you wish - but don't just arbitrarily start invoicing a higher amount without prior discussion.
i would not allow myself to be waiting on call without a retainer of some kind in place.
Are you able to service multiple CEO's at the same time under this arrangement? That might make a difference to how this arrangement should be viewed.

TinkerBellaBella

Thanks, I don’t have a contract but have worked for the past 6 years for the person as self employed.  I think I should be paid for times I’m waiting for a call/email.  I can be busy for a few hours, and then just a few calls emails for the next couple of hours.  It’s unpredictable. 

Andy_L

Are you actually self employed or is your boss just dodging their employment responsibilities?

GrumpyDil

As above it sounds more like you are employed but your employer has called you self employed to avoid paying National Insurance, pension contributions and tax etc.

Do you also work for anyone else or just this one company? 

TinkerBellaBella

I am fully self employed, work for myself and pay my own contributions. 

EnPointe

Andy_L said:

Are you actually self employed or is your boss just dodging their employment responsibilities?

this is a very good  question 

OP
 do you have other clients ?   
do these other clients work  for  different organisations ? 
can you  substitute ? and who would invoice for and  pay the substitute?
does this client specify  times of availability ?
can you  take holiday  without permission from the 'client' ?

i wonder what would be the result  accurate answers on the HMRC tests  of employment status ?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-employment-status-for-tax

TinkerBellaBella

I do adhoc work for a couple of other clients. Totally separate organisations. I take holidays and let them know in advance when I’m off. I don’t substitute with anyone else.  I do my own work. 

GrumpyDil

In which case you can charge for time as per your agreement with the company.

If that isn't already covered off then you need to have a negotiation with your client

Marcon

TinkerBellaBella said:

Thanks, I don’t have a contract but have worked for the past 6 years for the person as self employed.  I think I should be paid for times I’m waiting for a call/email.  I can be busy for a few hours, and then just a few calls emails for the next couple of hours.  It’s unpredictable. 

You need a contract, and your question highlights exactly why. If you're self employed it's a contract for services (as opposed to being an employee, when you need a contract of service).

Get one in place.