Freelance Isn't Free Act

2017 NYC labor law that protects labor rights for freelancers
Freelance Isn't Free Act
New York City Council
Territorial extentNew York City, US
Enacted16 November 2016
Legislative history
Introduced byBrad Lander
Introduced7 December 2015
Conference committee bill passed by26 October 2016
Keywords
Labor law
Status: Current legislation

The Freelance Isn't Free Act (FIFA) is a local New York City law passed by the New York City Council in 2016 that protects the labor rights of freelance workers. The bill passed unanimously, after lobbying by the Freelancers Union.[1] The law was officially enacted on May 15, 2017.[2]

The law provides a legal definition for freelance work in New York City and requires companies to provide written contracts for freelance workers whenever the work exceeds $800.[2] Nearly all types of freelance workers are covered by the law except salespeople, attorneys, medical professionals, and government contractors.[3]

Even without a written contract, companies are still required to pay freelancers within 30 days of the work being completed. Finally, companies can't punish workers for exercising the rights granted by the law, and the law allows freelancers to charge penalty fees against companies that violate its clauses.[2] The Act is intended to protect freelancers against clients that unreasonably withhold or delay payment for work.[4]

References

  1. ^ Dodd, Amber D. "Making Freelancing in New York a Little Less Stressful". Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Gunzenhauser Popper, Nancy (3 May 2017). "Reminder: NYC's Freelance Isn't Free Act Takes Effect on May 15". The National Law Review. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  3. ^ PayMeNYC. "The Freelance Isn't Free Act: Everything You NEED to Know About NYC's Very Best Law – PayMeNYC". Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  4. ^ Levoritz, Yoni. "How unintended consequences may undermine the Freelance Isn't Free Act". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 6 May 2021.

Further reading

  • Maldonado, Samantha. "Freelancers Recovering Stolen Wages Under New NYC Law". nextcity.org. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  • Pereira, Ivan. "Freelancers make up one-third of the NYC workforce: Report". www.amny.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  • Scheiber, Noam (28 October 2016). "As Freelancers' Ranks Grow, New York Moves to See They Get What They're Due". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  • "States Look To Boost Independent Contractor Pay Protections - Law360". www.law360.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.(subscription required)

External links

  • NYC legislative record
  • Legal text


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