What To Include In Your eLearning Freelancing Contracts
Contracts are an essential part of every business. Whether it is a start-up, small scale business or large organization, agreements streamline communications and prevent misunderstandings. Your eLearning business is no exception. You require contracts to administer the employer-employee relationship. eLearning freelancing contracts ensure that the sub-contractors you hire understand the conditions. But they also serve as a legally binding agreement between you and the client. Thus, protecting eLearning freelancers and their eLearning business venture. Here are 9 crucial things that you need to have in your eLearning freelancing contracts.
1. Contact Details
Real names are a vital aspect of eLearning freelancing contracts that is often overlooked. More often than not, individuals tend to conceal their real identity when working online, which is not advisable. It is prudent to include the actual names of the employer and the contractor, and their physical addresses. You should also request that clients appoint an official signee who can sign, date, and initialize the appropriate documentation. This helps ensure that the appropriate manager or stakeholder gives their stamp of approval.
2. The Starting Date
eLearning freelancing contracts need to specify the date on which the contract becomes active. Starting date is a crucial element that specifies when services will be performed, as well as any prerequisites or contingencies. For example, work will only begin after the initial payment is received. On the starting date section, the employer also specifies that the employee does not enjoy the rights they had with a previous employer. Simply put, the contractor starts from zero and is not entitled to any in-house benefits.
3. Employee/Contractor Classification
eLearning freelancers are hired on a full-time or temporary basis. Your eLearning freelancing contracts must specify what position you hold during the eLearning project and your professional affiliation with the client. Employee classification defines whether you are hired as an employee or a contractor, hence ensuring insurance and tax compliance. Classifications prevent lawsuits that arise due to misclassification. In many cases, eLearning freelancers are hired on as sub or independent contractors.
4. Working Hours
How many hours will you be required to work during the eLearning project? For the most part, eLearning freelancing contracts are paid on hourly basis. The more the hours worked, the higher the pay. Hourly pay terms should be included in eLearning freelancing contracts. It should be specified exactly how many hours the contractor should work in a day, and how the contractor should be compensated if they work extra hours. If you’re charging a flat fee, include a detailed description of what the work entails and how it will be carried out. The eLearning freelancing contract should also state whether the job requires working weekends and nights. Explain how often this will happen and how you should be compensated for “overtime”.
5. Payment Schedule
eLearning freelancing contracts need to have a timetable with a set schedule that details specific payment dates. A payment schedule should also mention the amount the eLearning professional should be paid and the conditions of payment. Payment schedules allow eLearning freelancers to track payment progress accurately. Dates of actual payment should be the same as those listed in the set payment schedule. This section should also include the payment method(s) that will be used to make transactions.
6. Non-Disclosure Agreement
Protecting vital information is a crucial part of every eLearning freelancing contact. eLearning course outlines, intellectual property, and other sensitive information in your eLearning course need to be protected. Non-disclosure agreements are an assurance that important eLearning content will be safeguarded and not misused by eLearning freelancers. Instead of making this document a separate contract, let it be signed on the eLearning freelancing contract. Place it in a different field, and make it ready for digital signing. If you’re creating a contract for sub-contractors who will be collaborating with you, ensure that the client is on board. For example, ask if they would like to arrange a separate eLearning freelancing contract with the sub-contractors, or if the collaborator will sign an agreement with you that relinquishes intellectual rights, etc.
7. Communication Guidelines
The employer and the contractor must be in constant communication to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship. eLearning freelancing contracts should provide clear communication guidelines for both parties which should answer the following questions:
- When exactly should the parties be in communication?
- How will the parties reduce communication noise? In other words, will there be a direct point of contact who handles all questions and concerns?
- What channels will the parties use to communicate at the specified times? For example, will you rely on email, phone calls, or video chats?
8. The Contract Period
Is it a set-term or an ongoing eLearning freelancing contract? The contract period states the relationship between the client and the contractor. Will it be an employer-employee relationship, or will the employee be an independent contractor? If needed, also state the date at which the eLearning freelancing contract will be closed for any reason.
9. Termination Terms And Conditions
Make it clear how each party should end the eLearning freelancing contract if the need arises. These terms will include the notice needed, and whether it should be officially written or not. Also, specify what is required of both parties after the termination of the eLearning freelancing contract. For instance, the client or eLearning freelancer must give a 30-day written notice if they wish to terminate the eLearning freelancing contract. Make sure you include how the termination notice must be delivered, such as by email or to the company’s address.
This article can help you draft an eLearning freelancing contract that clarifies confusion and keeps business practices on the up-and-up. You can also add some other things depending on the type of relationship you want to create with your client. When in doubt, seek out the services of an attorney if things become overly complicated.
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