Yeah but that's kinda the point of being a contractor, no?
Here in the Netherlands contractors are also 'at will employed' as the Americans say.
But they pay you more so...
Sounds like a case every lawyer in Germany would like to take. 500€ for first letter to send to the manager reminding the contract conditions. It is enough for most companies not to go further with shady activities. As a contractor one should know how to deal with the clients.
Re:Googler... ex-Googler
by hectormalot on Monday April 14, 2025 @09:17AM
(#43680945)
I don’t think that’s shady? When I was hiring contractors it was always project based with mutual understanding things could end quickly if the project or collaboration didn’t work out.
Yes, they get paid 1.5-2x, and that also prices in that it’s not always 100% utilization. Only once had a contractor oppose that, but that was in the context of (severe) underperformance.
In his case, the contract had something different, and they did not pay the actual invoice - that's the shady part.
With contractors, you have more freedom of choice when you write the contracts, but whatever contract you agree on, you still have to honor the contract as agreed.
Re:Googler... ex-Googler
by hectormalot on Monday April 14, 2025 @01:44PM
(#43684024)
Oh my bad, I thought you referenced contractors in general. In that case I agree: agreements are to be honored.
OP said that they did this for contractors too!
Re:Googler... ex-Googler
by AstralStorm on Monday April 14, 2025 @05:06AM
(#43679438)
Sure it was possible, just not convenient. Small claims charges in EU court do work. One major benefit of EU.
Working as a contractor means you're self-employed and the relations you have with "your boss" are a B2B relationship where you agree to get something done in exchange for money - no different from renting office space or servers. Since you're a business owner, you're expected to be competent in the areas of business (which can be cut-throat) and law. You chose to take on this risk by being a contractor.
Re:Googler... ex-Googler
by chippiewill on Monday April 14, 2025 @06:00AM
(#43679679)
The legal responsiveness for contractor disputes is definitely not as good as employment. Messing up employment relations in Europe ends up really expensive in most jurisdictions because there'll usually be some mix of unions, government agency or charity that'll have the employee's back.
Contractors don't have that kind of support pretty much anywhere (that's sort of the point), and it's just a standard contract dispute that lawyers argue about.
So what you're saying is your company had a customer that breached contract and didn't pay. I wouldn't compare that to being fired?
Re:Googler... ex-Googler
by Sonnigeszeug on Monday April 14, 2025 @10:45AM
(#43681881)
Oo? It should have been no issue at all for you to get this money.
We are a law and order country.
You got yourself played
Re:Googler... ex-Googler
by constantcrying on Tuesday April 15, 2025 @09:19AM
(#43692276)
That is obviously criminal though.
Yes, it may be different for full-time non-contract jobs, but once you're on a contract, nobody cares.