[eecc]

Somewhat true, but to me what matters as a freelance is that I get to make the call when I’ve had enough of a particular contract, or choose whether to wait for a more interesting project, or just sign up to whatever conference I feel it’s important to my own career plan.

When I was an employee I always had to beg to do anything, as well as suck up whatever shite projects the accounts would figure out would mean a sweet billability streak... dammit, the humiliation...

[kahnpro]

That's great if you're working as an actual freelancer. But most that I've seen don't get such freedoms.

Another good test is, are you allowed to subcontract your work or not?

[eecc]

Eh that’s a good question, practically never. But there’s some good reason for it, in that development is not a routine job where you are completely interchangeable. There’s - thankfully - a certain amount of creative skill and professional judgement that makes me the hire and not a sub of my choice.

Several years ago Italy introduced CoCoCo contracts to capture this concept of temporary professional employment, between an employee on your payroll and a butcher you buy a stake from.

Eventually companies abused it and applied it to completely subordinates such as call center operators. It was - rightfully, given the circumstances - repealed.

I wonder if we could have something like that again, it would be easier than this pantomime.