Contract employees and workplace boundaries

It can be hard to set boundaries in the workplace. There is incredible pressure around working harder, impressing our bosses and going above and beyond the call of duty. When that becomes the norm, how do you go about setting those boundaries? For contract employees in particular, it might be easier than you think.

What is a contract employee?

Sometimes they’re called freelancers and sometimes they’re called independent contractors, but the one thing they all have in common is a contract. Contract employees are typically brought on because they have expertise in a specific field. Being experts in the field is great because it means these employees can come in quickly and get the job done. Indeed reported that contract positions are becoming more common every day. Contract work is also more common in some industries than others – especially in the digital and technological industries.

However, contract employees are typically around for shorter periods of time than their full-time counterparts. They also have more specific, defined roles. What is expected from them is clearly laid out. But what happens when an employer needs a contractor’s expertise in a new arena? What if they ask them to do more than what’s outlined in their agreement?

What’s in a contract?

A benefit of being a contract employee is everything being laid out up front. From the job description and responsibilities to scheduling, duration, and compensation, contract employees know exactly what is expected of them and what they need to get done in their role. The benefits of working as a contract employee are that there are no obligations outside of that contract. This makes it easier for those employees to set boundaries in the workplace.

These contracts are legally binding agreements between an employee and the employers, and they make defining the working relationship easy. If an employer needs more of the contracted employee’s expertise or more help with a different project, they will have to offer them a contract extension or start a new contract all together. While a boss might expect more out of a typical full-time employee, they can’t out of their contractor.

ProTech staffs hundreds of employees on a contracted basis. Contract employees are not obligated to work beyond the parameters of their contract, so partnering with ProTech can help create the perfect opportunity for you. We’re ready to get started, are you? Give us a call today to set up a consultation.