Comparing the accessibility of both employed and self employed roles and their opportunities.
- Mark Blackwell
- Nov 22, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
Probably the easiest and most accessible way to get employment in the music industry is to be self employed. You can get started straight away by playing in a session maybe. You have the freedom to play in different venues and get paid for each gig and earn a fee that is agreed with your client. There is a developed relationship that is mutually beneficial and each service you provide you receive a fee and this can be very rewarding and there is a unique satisfaction in it.
A freelancer is defined by the relationship with your employer and whether you or the employer controls the work. If you get paid for gig and are free to pick your own project's, you are self employed. If you supply the equipment and materials for the project and are free to use those materials for other project's which you choose, you are self employed. If you make tax returns on the basis of having worked your own hours. You are self employed. You should not be exposed to financial risk while providing services to your client or have any connection with the financial investment pertaining to your client. You should check out this link if you are in doubt as to your actual employment status.
You should also be aware that you have responsibility of making your own tax returns and there is further information on http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/tax/income_tax/taxation_of_self_employed_people.html
There is of course some downsides to self employment in that it doesn't offer any security and you don't get holiday pay. If you can't generate work for yourself you might consider taking an employed role. You can work as a full time musician for a company or an orchestra. There are companies that require music representatives and sound engineers. There are music journalists working in publishing houses and magazines. Bands often have full time roadie's to help manage the stage environment. There are music composers working for television companies and cameramen as well. Of course, you could be employed as a music arranger or even involved in marketing. Instrument makers can find full time employment in workshops that specialise in certain instruments such as Uilleann Pipes and Flutes. You also have rights when employed. Employed meaning that work under the control of your employer. The employer sets out the working hours and offers a contract of employment. You are entitled to have all the terms and conditions set out. Your employer has a duty of care in this case for you safety health and welfare under the Health and Safety at work act 2005. You are also entitled to holiday pay and sickness benefit should the need arise. You also have many other rights which gives you security in your life. https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Managing_Health_and_Safety/Safety,_Health_and_Welfare_at_Work_Act_2005/
You are not of course now to do whatever you want while under a contract of employment, unlike your stats as a freelancer and your must be careful that your situation regarding your employment is clear and that conditions don't occur that you are in false employment, in other words that you receive your rights under the above act. Have a look at this link in relation to the term 'False employment'
Social Welfare consolidation act Citizens in formation.ie 2018
Actually the goverment recently launched a campaign recently on this topic and it featured in the RTE News recently. https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0507/960768-campaign-self-employment/
References:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/self-assessment-and-self-employment/documents/code-of-practice-on-employment-status.pdf
Social Welfare consolidation act Citizens in formation.ie 2018
#self employed #work #opportunities
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