What is a freelancer?
- Someone that is not employed by an individual, company, or organisation.
- A freelancer is an individual that is contracted to do work – i.e., specific assignments for a specific amount of time.
- A freelancer is usually paid by the hour or on a fixed rate for a task.
A freelancer is not an employee, so generally:
- no benefits accrue to the person.
- no perks are available to the person.
Masses of South Africans were, for various reasons, laid off in recent years and have therefore been seeking freelance work – many are back with their previous employers as freelancers.
The current trend of working online, and from anywhere in the world, has made it easier for anyone who wants to enter into this type of working relationship.