I gave my boss a lead to a new business opportunity because 1.

Teresa

March 9,2022 at 3:29PM UTC

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I gave my boss a lead to a new business opportunity because 1. I believe it's a good fit; and 2. I'm really really new to this field and I'm older, so I know that I have to put a bit more effort into things to make a go of it. Currently I am a 1099 and paid a good wage, but hourly. Now he's asking me to attend a meeting with him and his boss regarding the opportunity. My intent was just to give him the name of my contact and walk away; I am not the person in a position to make a decision about whether or not this opportunity is taken. What I do know is that I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of giving my time away for free and then getting dumped (been there, done that!). Advice from more experienced people on how to handle the boundaries in this situation? What to say?

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Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.March 9,2022 at 5:01PM UTC
It sounds like you're being misclassified which is illegal under federal and state laws.
Wage theft, tax evasion and other fraud, etc. all at play here if that's the case. If you would like to discuss this further, please PM me or reach out on LinkedIn. I have successfully brought claims against employers in multiple states. I thoroughly enjoy educating workers on their rights and empowering them to assert their rights.
As for this meeting, you can respond to the invitation by asking him to confirm the date, time, and expected length of time you'll be committing to the meeting so you can prepare the invoice for your time appropriately. If you're a true 1099, that's the way it works. If you don't think that kind of response will fly, then we need to talk because you're being misclassified.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 1:34PM UTC
It sounds like you have had some bad experiences. Not everyone is terrible or means harm, though rushing to litigation is a sure way to provoke ire.
Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.March 10,2022 at 3:12PM UTC
It’s not about rushing to litigation, it’s about making sure everybody involved in the business relationship is on the same page about expectations.
I HAVE had some bad experiences, yes, and that is why I specialize in this field of law now. I can recognize red flags that others cant because I have particularized knowledge about these situations that most people don’t, including employers. For example, during one of my wage claim hearings, the hearing adjudicator must’ve told my boss at least 4x that “it doesn’t matter if she signed a 1099, or a contract, or if she said in a text that she’s an independent contractor so please stop interjecting with those comments.”
I am working with a woman right now whose job contract lays out all of her duties and obligations to the EMPLOYER (that’s the word used) in one paragraph, and in the *very next paragraph* it states that she is an independent contractor and therefore she is not entitled to x, y, and z. This job contract is a template contract that is being used for every single employee in her role, across the country, by this national company. Hundreds of FLSA violations, and nobody has ever said anything because they either don’t know or they’re too afraid to speak up against a brand this big. That’s not ok and I am very dedicated to helping people, especially women, get themselves out of these situations which begins with education and knowledge. That’s all I’m trying to do here
Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.March 10,2022 at 3:13PM UTC
And yes I imagine i’d be irritated if I got sued for breaking the law and violating my employees’ rights.
The whole point of screwing people over is to get away with it, after all lol
AnonymousMarch 9,2022 at 5:02PM UTC
If you attend you would want to be paid for your time.
Also, this is a great opportunity to gain more work if this takes off. Connecting with the new opportunity/potential lead is a great way to position yourself as a key member if the team. You are certainly not going to make any business decisions or provide direction. You will be there to share insight and support as a colleague and possible future coworker if the work that comes from this connection fits your skill set.
This is how business is built.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 1:23PM UTC
Right. I don't understand why OP wouldn't want to be involved in discussion of the opportunity or why OP would assume the meeting would be unpaid. Attend the meeting, offer advice/input, be a sounding board, etc., and get paid for your time. It's part of working, whether hourly, salaried, or 1099.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 1:16PM UTC
I would follow the advice to advise him, upfront, that you will bill him for your time in the meeting, and any preparation and follow-up for the meeting. But I would be very positive (matter-of-fact) about that. You can gauge if you want to keep working for him and the organization based on his response to that.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 1:27PM UTC
I think including you is an honor, giving you the respect that you brought this lead to them and they would like to understand why you thought this would be a good opportunity. I do not see this in any way an attempt to get your time and talent for "free.". If they are good people, and it's a good company, (I would think they are if you decided to work there,) then aren't you interested in helping the company grow and succeed? We don't get paid for every second we work for a company, nor for every contribution we make. We give to people and the companies we work the benefit of our work experience but also our life experience. We should be contributing our time and talents for the sake of teamwork and goodwill. We should not just be takers. Just my opinion. Good luck!
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 2:04PM UTC
This was my reaction as well - they are showing respect by including you in the process because without you, it never would have happened!
As a Manager, it's exactly what I would do. And if I were the boss, it would be a given that its paid time - not paying never entered my mind! Of course it definitely never hurts to confirm that it's paid - I think thats smart - but I am saddened by the overwhelming number of scenarios where the worst is always assumed. I'm not saying bad things don't happen, but it's truly sad that the professional environment has reached this point.
Cyndy TrivellaMarch 10,2022 at 1:28PM UTC
Do you have reason to believe you wouldn't get paid to attend the meeting and any subsequent conversations around this opportunity?
Probably the best thing to do is to be upfront and let your boss know you are happy to attend strategy meetings and any conversations about this opportunity, but those hours will be billable. If he understands how 1099'ers work, he should not have a problem with knowing you will be paid. However, if he is viewing this as you offering a "value add" to your role, that will be the rabbit hole you have mentioned and it needs to be avoided. This will, also, give you some insight into him and the company philosophy on hiring 1099'ers.
On a more positive note, he may feel that you have some insider knowledge of this lead and wants you involved because you will be valuable in securing the piece of new business, and has every intention of paying you for your time and sage.
Again, be upfront at the get-go to avoid any misunderstanding and to ensure you get paid for your time and knowledge.
Good luck!
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 1:28PM UTC
Why would you give your time away? If they ask you to attend a meeting you put that in as time worked. If necessary clarify before the meeting that you will get paid for your time. If they say no pay, then decline the invite. As for the invite itself it could be they want more information about the opportunity before they decide whether to move forward. Since you’re the one who presented it they obviously believe you can give them information they feel they need to be most informed and prepared. They may not be asking for you to take on this project at all. It takes just an email or conversation with them to find out why they want you in the meeting.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 1:29PM UTC
This seems simple to me. First, assume positive intent. Second, accept the invitation and verify that this is billable time.
Unless this particular person has wronged you, you have no reason to believe that they intend to. There are helpful bosses out there who develop others. And it seems like you have more to gain than lose.
Samantha s.March 10,2022 at 6:02PM UTC
I agree with Heather. If you're in good standing with this person, I think it only fair to assume positive intent. If you feel it best to discuss compensation expectations ahead of attending any meetings, you can probably easily and simply get clarification and confirmation.
I am a fan of professional transparency.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 2:00PM UTC
Why do you refer to him as your boss? He is your client and you are a consultant. I would provide him with a pro forma invoice with the amount for the time and travel and ask him to approve before you go.
Shelby CMarch 10,2022 at 2:28PM UTC
It sounds like you don't want to attend.
I do consulting work as well and the way I handle these types of things (when not in contract) is say, "I would like to let you know that my ___ rate is ____. Please let me know if you'd still like me to attend. I don't see any real ROI from a business perspective and I don't want to waste your resources."
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 4:56PM UTC
you are exactly right. you gave him the info; it's his job to follow up, learn more, apply or whatever. You are getting triangulated if you go any further. DO NOT.
AnonymousMarch 10,2022 at 4:58PM UTC
YOU DIDN'T CLARIFY, but we are all presuming this is your "free time"...you weren't offered pay to attend, right??
Erin PettMarch 10,2022 at 5:40PM UTC
Is there a reason you think that this is unpaid? I work as a 1099, but I never attend meetings on my "free time". No one has every complained.....
Erin Babcock MusickMarch 10,2022 at 9:03PM UTC
I see this as an opportunity for you too. Why not go to the meeting (on paid time) explain why you recommended this opportunity and then ask for more pay and/or hours to implement it? On the other hand, I'm gathering you only wanted to share the idea and go no further. Then say thank you but no thank you. Let your boss know that you wanted to share but you have no desire to implement the idea. Tell this person it's a gift to them that they can run with.
AnonymousMarch 11,2022 at 1:44AM UTC
"Will there be a different hourly rate for my time spent on this endeavor?"
or " How should I bill for this work?"
AnonymousMarch 11,2022 at 11:17PM UTC
True that!!!!
tiffany birchMarch 11,2022 at 5:52PM UTC
I would take it as a compliment that he values your input. It is an opportunity to be well thought of, and gain traction for future benefits like increased pay. Though, it sounds like you have some personal reservations that could hinder your ability to be open to greater opportunities.