Self Employed: Handling Your Workload When Not Feeling Well

Perhaps you can handle your work load by bringing in part time, or even full time, help.

Consider whether to tell your clients about the person. If the work can get done without client interaction, there may be no need to tell. On the other hand, if there will be a new voice answering your phone or there's face-to-face interaction, introduce the person.

No matter whom you bring in - whether it's a colleague or a temp person you find on the internet through such sites as CraigsList (www.CraigsList.com ), through local advertising or a temp agency, give the person a project as a test.

Keep control of your work product and of the relationship with the client. Clients bargain for your vision and quality of work, and that's what they should get. (It's also important for your future to assure you keep the client, instead of a possible misappropriation of the client).

It is advisable to put the arrangement with the person who will be your business support in writing. The document doesn't have to be lengthy or complicated, but you'll need it for your protection. Include such matters are:

• Whether the person is to have contact with any of your clients.
• Whether the person is allowed to discuss your health condition with anyone unless directed by you to the contrary - and then, only to the extent that you agree ahead of time.
• The person's status: is he or she an employee or an independent contractor?
• As a general rule, a person is an independent contractor when you have the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not the means or methods of accomplishing the result). If the person is to be an employee, keep in mind tax and other obligations.
• The person's status determines such matters as whether you are obligated to pay FICA taxes or withhold income.
• Duties (job description).
• Where work is to be performed.
• Deadlines.
• Compensation and payment dates.
• Who pays for what expenses.
• Length of time the arrangement is to continue.
• A confidentiality agreement about your list of clients with an agreement not to compete for those clients for a minimum of a specified period of time.

Because of the complexities involved, it is advisable to consult a lawyer to draft the agreement or to at least review what you write.

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