Many Freelancers are confused by the responsibilities associated with the Employer/Freelancer relationship. Throw Guru.com into the mix and their eyes begin to glaze over. This article will detail the various steps from posting the project to submitting the finished project and beyond and explain who is involved in each process.
The Beginning
- Posting the project - Employer and Guru.com
The Employer must gather all the facts regarding the 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 place a quote on their project by sending Freelancers a Project Message or a Project Invitation. In addition, Guru.com will notify Freelancers of projects that match their profiles.
- Reviewing proposals - Employer
It is the Employer's responsibility to review the proposals submitted in response to project postings. The Employer should check each proposal and profile to see if the Freelancer meets the needs specified in the posting. For clarification, the Employer can contact Freelancers by telephone, email, or via Project Messages to obtain more information.
- Selecting Freelancer - 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 create, upload and approve a Project Agreement that will detail all aspects of the project.
- SafePay Payment - Employer and Freelancer
Use SafePay, as it is the safest way for both Employers and Freelancers to transact.
- Working and completing the project - Employer and Freelancer
The Freelancer bears the lion's share of the responsibility here. However, the Employer must be aware of the importance of keeping in touch with the Freelancer throughout the course of the project to get updates, give information, and check draft work.
Guru.com recommends that all Freelancers use Work Room Discussions to communicate with their Employers. 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 complete, 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 will either 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*
All Freelancers who used SafePay have access to Guru.com's Mediation and Arbitration services. Freelancers who used Guru Invoicing do not have access to Guru.com's Mediation and Arbitration services.
The End
- Invoice or SafePay Payment Request - Freelancer
In order to receive payment, the Freelancer must generate an invoice or a SafePay payment request through Guru.com's Billing and Payment system. This invoice or SafePay payment request should be generated in accordance with the payment terms outlined in the Project Agreement.
- Payment - Employer
It is responsibility of the Employer to pay the invoice or approve the SafePay payment request.
- Payment to Freelancer- Guru.com
Once Guru.com receives payment from the Employer, the transaction fee will be deducted and the remainder sent to the Freelancer via his or her chosen payment method.
Responsibility summary
| TASK |
RESPONSIBLE PARTY |
| Posting the project |
Employer |
Guru.com |
- |
| Inviting Freelancers |
Employer |
Guru.com |
- |
| Reviewing proposals |
Employer |
- |
- |
| Selecting a Freelancer |
Employer |
- |
- |
| Developing the Project Agreement |
Employer |
- |
Freelancer |
| SafePay Payment |
Employer |
- |
Freelancer |
| Working and completing the project |
Employer |
- |
Freelancer |
| Project and draft review |
Employer |
- |
- |
| Settling disputes |
Employer |
Guru.com* |
Freelancer |
SafePay Payment Request
|
- |
- |
Freelancer |
Invoice payment or work approval
|
Employer |
- |
- |
| Payment to Freelancer |
- |
Guru.com |
- |
|
* Guru.com only provides its Mediation and Arbitration services to Freelancers who have not yet been paid SafePay funds. |