NUJ LFB: Frequently Asked Questions

Sculpture at the University of Suffolk Waterfront campus in Ipswich

RATHER A LOT of useful information for freelances has appeared in the Freelance and it's all archived online here.

But what's where? This updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list will help you find it. From "holiday pay" to getting money out of recalcitrant clients to understanding your copyright in your work, it's all here. Or if it isn't, you'll tell us.

I need the emergency legal number - fast!
What financial help can I get?
Brexit What's affecting freelances?
I'm a photographer
Am I eligible for a Press Card? If so, how do I apply for one, or renew one?
How do reduced rate NUJ subscriptions work?
How can I protect my sources, with all these Investigatory Powers laws?
When is the next London Freelance Branch meeting and what's it about?
When are the pitching clinics and training courses?
I've just become a self-employed freelance. What do I need to do about tax?
What do I need to do to work abroad?
Copyright? Help! What are my rights in my work?
I've found my work used without permission...
Where can I quickly find rates being paid by different clients?
What are the suggested rates? There are so many Rates for the Job...
Should I work for this client?
What's this about "BACS payments" and what do I need to do to get one?
My client is late paying! Where can I find out what to do?
Commissions? contracts? How do they work? Where do I get help?
Does an email count as a contract?

What about holiday pay/paid time off and other worker's rights?
My client has cancelled the work they booked. What can I do?
What are contact details for Branch committee members or at head office?
How do I tell the NUJ I've moved or that I've just become freelance or...
Email discussions - how do I join one?
But I don't know what my question is! What question do I ask?
Wrong questions? We need your suggestions for more FAQs.

I need the emergency legal number - fast! Where is it?

Up-to-date phone numbers for emergency legal support for members are at www.londonfreelance.org/emergency

For non-emergency legal matters NUJ members should read this guide and then contact the Freelance Office.

What financial help can I get?

You are not alone. It's a sign of how bad things are for some in these allegedly post-covid times that we have added a new section to the Freelance Fees Guide. See:

Benefits and pensions in the Freelance Fees Guide - with many links to further advice
NUJ charity is ready to help members can turn to NUJ Extra
Rory Peck Trust opens Crisis Fund for freelances

Brexit and travel

See www.londonfreelance.org/brexit.html for Freelance reports on the effects of Brexit; and
Visas and paperwork for travel for work in the Freelance Fees Guide

I'm a photographer

See www.londonfreelance.org/photo - with news and advice useful to photographers and other visual creators.

How do reduced rate NUJ subscriptions work?

There's no need to let your membership lapse if the standard subs rate seems a bit high for your income - you need pay no more than 1 per cent of your taxable income: see this guide. You can also ask to put your membership completely into suspense.

When is the next Branch meeting and what's it about?

The Branch meetings link near the top of the home page goes to www.londonfreelance.org/lfb/meetings.html (where you will also find reports of meetings since 1999).

When are the pitching clinics and training courses?

At present the Branch training offer is our pitching clinics and coffee mornings.

There's a list of links at www.londonfreelance.org/training and also check the Branch calendar

I've just become a self-employed freelance journalist. What do I need to do about tax?

The Freelance Fees Guide offers basic advice on what you currently need to do.

The obligation to file tax reports online four times a year is being phased in, starting with higher earners: see www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2507mtd.html.

Am I eligible for a Press Card? If so, how do I apply for one, or renew one?

The Press Cards Authority issues cards to NUJ members who can show that they are news-gatherers. You cannot apply for a Press Card until after your NUJ membership is approved. See information about joining the union at www.londonfreelance.org/nuj-join.html and see detailed advice from the Freelance at www.londonfreelance.org/fl/1702pca.html.

The NUJ has simplified the process of applying for a Press Card, and if you recently had difficulties it is worth re-applying: see www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2206card.html.

How can I protect my sources, with all these Investigatory Powers laws?

London Freelance Branch has had a number of eminent speakers giving useful advice, summarised by the Editor at www.londonfreelance.org/fl/sources.html

My client is late paying! Where can I find out what to do?

There's a calculator for interest and compensation on late payments at www.londonfreelance.org/interest.html - with links to more advice. And NUJ members can use the form at www.londonfreelance.org/collect.html which helps you provide all the details the Freelance Office needs to help NUJ members chase really recalcitrant clients.

See, also, the Gong Award archive at www.londonfreelance.org/gong.html for previous late payers.

What's this about "BACS payments" and what do I need to do to get one?

Use the Bankers Automated Clearing Services (sic) to get paid directly into your account: see www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2408bacs.html which also explains the "IBAN" code.

People who say copyright is complicated are mostly people with an interest in pulling the wool over your eyes. It's not. Read the absolute basics in just 800 words at www.londonfreelance.org/c-basics.html - and we have a booklet that is free to NUJ members: Copyright for journalists and writers. See also our advice in the Freelance Fees Guide.

I've found my work used without permission...

Do not, yet, look for a lawyer. First, see this advice from the Freelance Fees Guide on things you can do for yourself (and this advice on how to find unauthorised uses of your work). If you are an NUJ member, contact the Freelance Office before you seek advice anywhere else. If you are not, join now.

Where can I quickly find rates being paid by different clients?

The Rate For The Job page is at www.londonfreelance.org/rates - which you can reach from the home page by clicking on the Rate for the Job logo.

What are the suggested rates? There are so many Rates for the Job...

You want the Freelance Fees Guide, at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide

Should I work for this client?

Nothing can substitute for doing your own duly diligent research into a company. See here for some companies that NUJ members may want to disucss with the Freelance Office. Also check the Gong Award nominations for late payment.

Commissions? contracts? How do they work? Where do I get help?

See the advice section of the Freelance Fees Guide and in particular the section on commissions and contracts.

Does an email count as a contract?

A Freelance Organiser writes: "If an email exchange contains a clear offer and a clear acceptance and agreement on a 'consideration' such as cash then it constitutes a contract. We have used emails as evidence in the Small Claims Court for many years." More from the Freelance Fees Guide here.

What about holiday pay/paid time off and other worker's rights?

Your entitlement is 24 days a year, pro rata for the days you work. See the Freelance Fees Guide advice.

My client has cancelled the work they booked. What can I do?

You had a contract. They owe you. That's the theory. For advice concerning commissioned articles and pictures see the Freelance Fees Guide page on "kill fees" and for work booked by the day that on cancellation fees for shifts.

And see expanded advice on kill fees at www.londonfreelance.org/2304kill.html.

What are contact details for Branch committee members or at head office?

For email addresses for London Freelance Branch (LFB) go to www.londonfreelance.org/lfb/contact.html - and for Head Office go to www.nuj.org.uk/contacts. Then click on the link for the contacts you want.

How do I tell the NUJ I've moved or that I've just become freelance or...

All is explained at www.londonfreelance.org/fl/1705coa.html - or go directly to the Change of Address form via this link.

Email discussions - how do I join one?

Go to www.londonfreelance.org /contacts.html#networks - then click on the name of the network, then fill in the form to introduce yourself. We can set up more if there is real demand.

When is the next Branch meeting and what's it about?

The Branch meetings link near the top of the home page goes to www.londonfreelance.org/lfb/meetings.html - (where you will also find reports of meetings since 1999).

Also check @NUJ_LFB on Twitter for last-minute updates.

But I don't know what my question is! What question do I ask?

Go to the website home page at londonfreelance.org - you know you are there because that's what's written across the top. It has links to the most commonly used pages of the site. You can also go to the site map: full contents - a page that lists all the major sections.

The site is so big - more than 8000 pages - that even its architects generally use the site search facility to find the information they want. Click on the "Menu" link by the "Freelance" logo on all recent pages to pull up a search box.

Wrong questions?

We need your suggestions for more FAQs. Email editor@londonfreelance.org