It's a fine line

As a freelancer there are certain types of behaviour both expected and not expected of you. For example, you’re not expected to work beyond, say, 6pm.

Many freelancers just WON’T on principle, especially if they are charging by the day. Others don’t mind, but will charge by the hour. I just apply the same attitude to this as I would with an agency job; if there’s work that needs doing, I’m happy to stay and do it, but I’m not going to sit at my desk and pretend to be busy if I’m not. If I have nothing to do, I’ll be out the door at 5.31pm, and thanks very much.

Some of my current colleagues were discussing a new Account Manager who is freelancing for them. “The trouble is, she just has the whiff of a freelancer. You can tell she’s just going through the motions.” Ouch. Like I said, it’s a fine line.