4 strategies to keep an independent contractor safe
In the gig economy, setting up your own business is an increasingly tempting prospect. But if you’ve got meagre funds, you’ll most likely be working on your own for several years.
Setting up your own business is a long and lonesome life, but it’s worth it for a sense of independence. Just imagine – working when you want, making decisions that can change the face of your company and your life, turning down jobs when you feel like it. Complete and utter autonomy is the dream as an independent contractor.
But independence brings its own disadvantages, especially if you’re a contractor driving to the homes of your clients. Personal safety is rarely mentioned in discussions on self-employed people, but it’s a major consideration for contractors every day.
Is the house you’re travelling to safe? Does anyone else know where you are? Will your vehicle be secure in a dangerous area? Are you used to driving on winding country roads?
These are only a few of the questions you’ll have to ask yourself before you venture onto your next job. But thankfully we’ve come up with a few solutions to help you keep yourself safe. Take a look and keep them in mind.
Have an emergency contact
Whether you work alone or not, you’ll need an emergency contact. This could be a family member, partner or friend. Either way, it’s important that you alert at least one person where you’re going.
For an extra piece of security insurance, we’d recommend checking out Safe Shores Monitoring, which can provide your phone with a tracking app that your emergency contact can view. That way, no matter where you are, someone can keep you in their sights.
In-car cameras
You’ll have seen these on reality shows like Police, Camera, Action! – tiny cameras that record any action going on inside or outside your car.
Police officers use these cameras for exactly the same reason that you’ll be – to avoid liability for their actions should they be accused of mishandling a situation. Your camera can keep track of the work you’re doing and stop you from getting into hot water with clients.
Driving lessons
As an independent contractor, you’re going to be doing a lot of driving. And if you’re not confident on country roads or motorways, now’s the time to brush up on your skills.
If necessary, undertake a refreshers course in driving, available from reputable companies like BSM. By the time you’ve completed it, you’ll be ready to hit the road and complete some jobs.
Know where you’re going
Driving up and down the country requires more than your wits alone. If you have a vast number of job offers out of your hometown, then a GPS is a shrewd investment.
And be sure to purchase a paper map as a backup. After all, no one wants to be stuck on a dangerous country road with only a flat-lining GPS for company.
