Many Employers are confused by the responsibilities associated with the Employer/Freelancer relationship. Throw Guru.com into the mix and their eyes begin to boggle. This article will detail the various steps from posting the project to receiving the finished project and beyond and explain who is involved in each process.
Quick responsibility chart.
The Beginning
- Posting the project - Employer and Guru.com.
The Employer must gather all the facts regarding their project, including scope, budget, time frame, and location requirements. Guru.com will assist in the process by posting the project on its website. Guru.com is also available for questions during the posting process.
- Inviting Freelancers - Employer and Guru.com.
The Employer can invite Freelancers to submit quotes for the project once it is posted. After conducting a search, Employers may invite Freelancers to submit quotes for your project posting. Guru.com will also notify Freelancers who match the skill and location requirements for each project posted.
- Reviewing quotes - Employer.
It is the Employer's responsibility to review the quotes submitted in response to project postings. The Employer should check each quote and profile to see if the Freelancer meets the needs specified in the posting. For clarification, the Employer can contact the Freelancers directly to obtain more information.
- Selecting Freelancers - Employer.
It is the Employer's responsibility to send a Project Award to the Freelancer who will complete the project.
The Middle
- Creating the Project Agreement - Employer and Freelancer.
Before any work is begun, the Employer and Freelancer should work together to upload and approve the Project Agreement that will detail all aspects of the project.
- Paying the SafePay request - Employer and Freelancer
Use SafePay.
SafePay
- Guru.com Payment Protection Guarantee with SafePay.
- Our SafePay service allows you to transact with Freelancers risk-free.
- If you are working with a new Freelancer, use SafePay.
Learn how SafePay works. |
- Working and completing the project - Employer and Freelancer.
Though the Freelancer bears the lion's share of the responsibility here, the Employer must be aware of the importance of keeping in touch with the Freelancer throughout the course of the project to gain updates, give information, and check draft work.
Guru.com recommends that all Employers use Work Room Discussions to communicate with the Freelancers they hire. It's convenient, centralized location and real-time notification features make it ideal for keeping track of project discussions.
- Project and draft review - Employer.
Before a draft or project can be considered completed, the Employer should review the item in the Work Room against the scope defined in the Project Agreement. Should the work prove acceptable, the Employer can pay the Freelancer's Guru Invoice or give Guru.com approval to pay the SafePay funds to the Freelancer . Should the work prove unacceptable, both parties should follow the steps outlined in the Project Agreement.
- Settling disputes - Employer, Freelancer, and Guru.com.
Employers who used SafePay have access to Guru.com's Mediation and Arbitration services. Employers who used Guru Invoicing do not have access to Guru.com's Mediation and Arbitration services. If you have already paid your Freelancer using Invoicing and are unhappy with their work, you are welcome to leave honest feedback for the Freelancer. Frequent negative feedback will affect a Freelancer's ability to gain new business on Guru.com.
The End
- Requesting Payment - Freelancer.
In order to receive payment, the Freelancer must generate an invoice or SafePay request through Guru.com's Billing and Payment system. This invoice or SafePay request should be generated in accordance with the payment terms outlined in the Project Agreement.
- Guru Invoice or SafePay Payment - Employer.
It is responsibility of the Employer to pay the invoice or SafePay request. With SafePay, the Employer must also approve work so Guru.com can pay the Freelancer.
- Payment to Freelancer - Guru.com.
Once Guru.com receives payment from the Employer, the transaction fees will be deducted and the remainder sent to the Freelancer in his or her chosen method of payment.
Below is a quick reference chart that identifies who is responsible for actions relative to the project process.
| TASK |
RESPONSIBLE PARTY |
| Posting the project |
Employer |
Guru.com |
- |
| Inviting Freelancers |
Employer |
Guru.com |
- |
| Reviewing proposals |
Employer |
- |
- |
| Selecting a Freelancer |
Employer |
- |
- |
| Developing a Project Agreement |
Employer |
- |
Freelancer |
Pay SafePay
|
Employer |
- |
Freelancer |
| Working and completing the project |
Employer |
- |
Freelancer |
| Project and draft review |
Employer |
- |
- |
| Settling disputes |
Employer |
Guru.com |
Freelancer |
Request payment
|
- |
- |
Freelancer |
Invoice payment or SafePay approval
|
Employer |
- |
- |
| Payment to the Freelancer |
- |
Guru.com |
- |
|