<aside> 💡 These are guidelines for individuals who have signed an Independent Contractor agreement with Publitas.

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What does being an independent contractor mean?

Congratulations, you have consciously chosen entrepreneurship. Being an independent contractor at Publitas means you provide services to Publitas B.V. As an independent contractor, you are not Publitas staff but are a business owner delivering agreed-upon outcomes. Regardless of your status, we consider you a valued team member and support collaboration, transparency, and communication. However, there are essential legal and practical differences between contractors and employees that protect your independence.

• Crucial Differences:
  • Independent contractors do not receive paid time off, sick leave, or other employee benefits.
  • You are fully responsible for your own social security contributions, insurance, tax filings, and legal compliance.
  • You control how, when, and where you work, within the context of agreed deliverables.
  • Publitas cannot and will not supervise your daily work, set your working hours, or direct you like an employee.
• Regardless of the type of contract, employment or contractor, we treat you as a team member to get work done smoothly. This means we treat you at the same level of engagement and involvement (transparency, meetings and reporting structure, etc.) while respecting your independence.
• This means crucial differences between you and employees include paid time off and leave policies, independence, and responsibilities towards your self-employment (e.g., regarding your social security contributions, etc.).

What do you need to take care of yourself?

Before You Start Working with Publitas:

• Ensure you are compliant as a sole proprietor, freelancer, or registered business in your country. This means you must have a valid business registration and be allowed to contract independently.
• Secure the minimum required insurance in your country. This may include health, personal liability, or professional indemnity insurance, depending on your personal circumstances (family, health, etc.).
• If you expect life changes (e.g., starting a family or moving abroad), ensure adequate coverage or backup plans. Publitas does not provide or pay for such insurance.

During Your Contract with Publitas:

• You are responsible for the timely filing of your financial records, tax returns, and compliance with any local tax or registration obligations—even if your status or location changes after you start.
• Send monthly invoices to Publitas for your completed work and track your payments and business expenses.
• Maintain complete and accurate records in case of review by local authorities. Publitas does not track your hours or business costs, only your agreed deliverables.

What are some best practices?