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Topic: I'm a freelancer, not a personal assistant
| Author | Message |
| joyeuxnoelle | Posted – 1/27/2008 9:10:30 PM | show profile | email poster I just want to rant a bit. I have a roommate with a full time job. We've only started living together a few months ago. But I've started to realize that she seems to think that just because I'm working at home that I'm free to do her bidding all day. We're getting a housekeeper. I agreed to have the person come on the weekends when we were both home to share the responsibility of watching him/her. But she told the housekeeper to come on a weekday, when she knows she can't be here. WTF? Am I the only one going through this? |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 1/27/2008 9:15:13 PM | show profile Am I guessing correctly that your roommate is not the creative type? Most people with conventional jobs don't understanding that freelancing is a full-time job, just not one with the benefits that other jobs may still offer. As a freelancer, you are either on assignment or pitching for assignments, or the rent doesn't get paid and there's no food in the cupboards. If he or she still doesn't get it, offer to change places. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 1/27/2008 9:37:53 PM | show profile This happens quite frequently. Many people don't view freelancers as having real jobs so you have to educate them. I would start by calling up the housekeeper and canceling the appointment. I would then tell the roommate that I can't have a housekeeper roaming around the house, vacuuming and such during my working hours. If she asks you to do her a favor and run errands during the day for her, just politely say, "Sorry, but I work 9 to 5, and don't have time to do that during working hours." Don't argue. Don't discuss. Just make it clear your working hours are as sanrosanct as hers. |
| DQ102 | Posted – 1/28/2008 11:23:14 AM | show profile I am also a full-time freelance writer with a roommate. I always make it clear to any new roomie that I work at home full time and during work hours, this apartment is an office. So that means no hanging out and chatting during the day for me, and no dirty dishes in the sink. That's a big thing for me that I stress with roommates. I need to keep this place neat and organized so I can work. Anyway, I agree with the previous poster who said you should cancel the appointment with the housekeeper for during the week, schedule her for the weekend and calmly explain the situation to your roomie. Good luck. I know it is hard! |
| seeattleme | Posted – 1/28/2008 1:03:14 PM | show profile Wow. |
| foodlit | Posted – 1/28/2008 3:16:51 PM | show profile Why do you want to be there when the housekeeper cleans? They really don't need to be 'watched'. I have mine come during the week, let them in, then head out to my local coffee shop for a few hours. It's a nice break, and when I come home, the place is sparkling! |
| foodlit | Posted – 1/28/2008 3:17:49 PM | show profile Meant to add, that the 'break' is just going somewhere different to work, such as the local coffee shop that has free wifi access. |
