The unbiased workforce makes up over a 3rd of the nation, with New York being house to the most important inhabitants of unbiased contractors. We proceed to see the real-world penalties of NYC’s groundbreaking Freelance Isn’t Free Legislation that has protected over 2,500 freelancers and recovered over $3 million in owed compensation for his or her work in New York Metropolis – Now, freelancers throughout New York State could have comparable safe-guards to obtain well timed cost and be free from exploitation till that is handed statewide.
The Freelance Isn’t Free Act was signed into regulation in November 2023 and went into impact on August 28, 2024. This laws serves as a beacon of rights and protections for freelancers and readability for firms round partaking with freelance expertise in a method that’s equally helpful to each events.For instance, should you’re a freelancer who lives and works in Lengthy Island and contracts with a shopper outdoors of the 5 NYC boroughs, you at the moment are protected beneath Freelance Isn’t Free, simply as an NYC freelancer could be.
Right here’s what you want to know concerning the regulation:
- Who’s a “freelance employee”? A contract employee is outlined as any individual or any group composed of no a couple of individual employed as an unbiased contractor to offer companies valued not less than $800. Whether or not the individual employed performs the companies in query beneath a company title or their very own authorized title is irrelevant.
- Written Contract Mandate: The Act requires anybody that engages a contract employee to carry out companies for them to scale back the settlement to writing. This contract should define the scope of labor, the speed of pay and the cost deadline, which brings readability and transparency to freelance engagements.
- Well timed Cost: Below this laws, freelancers should obtain cost inside 30 days of finishing their work, until in any other case specified within the contract. This provision ensures freelancers can handle their funds with out undue delays.
- Safety Towards Retaliation: The Act permits freelancers to implement their rights with out concern of retaliation from the hiring social gathering. This safety is essential for sustaining a good and respectful working setting.
- The regulation covers all freelancers positioned in New York State, no matter whether or not their shopper is positioned in NY.
- How do I file a criticism? Go to the Lawyer Common’s web site at https://formsnym.ag.ny.gov/OAGOnlineSubmissionForm/faces/OAGLBHome and file a criticism beneath “Unpaid wages or different labor-related concern”
By setting these requirements, the Freelance Isn’t Free Act helps freelancers whereas additionally guiding firms in establishing truthful practices for hiring and collaborating with freelance expertise.
To rejoice the enactment of those protections, be a part of us with State Senator Andrew Gounardes, DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga, Comptroller Brad Lander, and all of our allies to assist unfold the phrase so freelancers throughout the state know that they’re now protected! RSVP to satisfy with us on the Freelancers Hub in Trade Metropolis: https://types.gle/WgSpPsm5ctRTmRqZA
And are available co-work totally free on the Freelancers Hub after: https://freelancershub.simplybook.me/v2/