Work, work, work, work, work

PSA: I’m conducting a free workshop about contracts for Singapore-based freelance creatives on 22 May. More details below if you’re interested!

Since I’ll be out of the office for a bit this week, I’m taking some time out of my workday to write this newsletter earlier than usual, and while my inspiration still runs hot.

I’ve recently been thinking about how different freelancers/self-employed persons have different types of work schedules.

(In this email, “work”—when used as a noun and not an adjective—means the things clients pay you to do. And not the non-billable things you do to keep the business running, like sending invoices or replying to emails.)

So, here are three types of work schedules:

Flexible

A flexible work schedule means you don’t have fixed work hours and can work at whichever time you want as long as you get the job done.

This is my work schedule as a freelance writer.

Although I have standard work hours, I can take time off in the middle of the day if I need/want to as long as I meet my deadlines.

This has sometimes meant working during evenings or weekends, which isn’t the most fun, but it’s a trade-off for the work flexibility I get.

Fixed

A fixed work schedule means you’re required to work for a specific number of hours in the day. This would apply if you’ve been hired to provide a service for a fixed duration during an event, film shoot, etc.

With a fixed work schedule, you don’t have as much time flexibility. You can choose jobs within your preferred work hours, but once you accept a job, you have to commit to working during the required hours.

For example, you’ve been engaged to take photos at a company event from 9am to 12pm, you can’t turn up at 1pm for the job.

A good thing about having a fixed work schedule, though, is that you know your work will be largely confined to that block of time you’ve been booked for. (Exceptions include having to work overtime.) The rest of your time outside of that time block is yours to use however you want.

In contrast, if you operate on a flexible work schedule, where the client doesn’t care how long you spend on the job as long as it gets done, you might find yourself working longer than you’d like because you still haven’t finished the work. I may or may not be speaking from experience here. 🥲

Mixed

There’s also a hybrid work schedule where your working hours are fixed, but you have leeway to decide when to do work that falls outside of these fixed hours.

This flexible work could be:

• Prep for your fixed work “shift”, e.g. rehearsing your script for an upcoming emcee gig
• Tasks you need to settle after the fixed work “shift”, e.g. editing the video footage you shot during the client’s event

I’d say many freelance services that involve fixed work hours follow a hybrid work schedule instead of a pure fixed work schedule. Because you generally need to prep for gigs, rather than just showing up and winging it.

Which work schedule do you want to follow?

To be honest, this is mostly a trick question. 😜 Regardless of which work schedule appeals to you, you’ll have to follow the schedule appropriate for your industry.

As mentioned earlier, if the job requires you to be somewhere from a certain start time to a certain end time, then you’ll need to do that. Or, if the job is deadline-based, you have more time flexibility.

I say this is “mostly” a trick question though, because if you’re a new freelancer, knowing the nature of the work (and its typical work schedule type) can help you decide whether you want to offer its associated service.

And in any case, you may find your work hours falling on a spectrum.

This could be:

• The hybrid work schedule I mentioned earlier, or even
• Adding some structure to your otherwise-flexible work schedule, like I do.

Okay, that’s all for now! I have to…go back to work 😂

More freelancer news

Free contracts workshop for Singapore freelance creatives

This is a workshop organised by the NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit and conducted by yours truly! ✌️

You might remember how I conducted a similar contracts workshop for freelance coaches in Feb. Well, this one will be tailored for freelance creatives.

I’m thinking of covering things like:

• Contract terms that creatives may encounter when taking on projects, e.g. non-compete and IP
• Bargaining power: What it is, and how it affects creatives’ ability to negotiate for fair terms
• How to navigate tricky situations like scope creep and late/non-payment
• Where to get a free contract template

The workshop is free. It will be held on 22 May 2025, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in the Launch programme room at the National Library in Bugis.

Scan the QR code in the flyer to register for the workshop. Alternatively, use this registration link. The previous workshop for coaches was fully booked, so register ASAP if you’re keen on this one!

The registration form asks for your mylibrary username, which you’ll have if you’re a library member. Go to this NLB account services page to sign up for free library membership or check your mylibrary username if you don’t remember it.

The form also asks if you’re an NTUC member. Feel free to answer “No” if you aren’t one.

I’m currently planning the workshop content (there will be some differences from the previous workshop for coaches), so let me know if there’s anything I should cover! And/or if you’ll be coming, reply to this email to let me know too 🙂