Yes! Your points are valid. I am in no way saying that you shouldn't work with your clients. What I have been trying to point out is that they just don't control you.

A contractor/consultant still needs to make the client happy. This means that you do need to show up to work and do your job. It means you don't bill them for work you didn't do, after all you are running a business. But it doesn't mean that you have to feel guilty or worry if you need to take a day off or are sick.

If I turn the table and think as a client, I obviously don't want a contractor for my full time project that only works two days a week. But if the contractor needs to take time off for some reason, I can't say no.

There needs to be communication with the client and the ability to reach amicable (I know spelling) agreements made on things. But I do believe that if either party starts to act in a role that is inappropriate the relationship will fail.

On another point, the law is designed to protect us and to insure the IRS gets thier due, probably not in that order. It doesn't mean that I can't ignore a rule to accomadate a client. But you still should know your rights.

That saying we have had a very long history of happy clients. We don't go in marching saying "You can't make me do that". We talk it out and come to agreements and sometimes you have to bite the bullet, sometimes you win. Many times we even work hours we don't bill for. It's only when a situation gets out of control with a client who is unreasonable that we pull the legal card. It was unfortunate that we actually had to sue a client and it is something I would never want to do again, but that situation really called for it.

So please don't think I am saying that you should ignore your clients and just do whatever you want. You won't be in business long if you do that. But I do want to get out that people in this industry are not helpless and do have the power to shape thier business and how they run it.

FDB