by Rachel Smith
10 January 2014
I’m writing this to you from my deathbed sick bed after a bout of lurgy that’s been on and off for the past month.
I’m not a great patient. I’m cranky and when I’m not Googling for cold and flu remedies I haven’t yet tried, I have an annoying habit of speculating aloud about when I might be better. I think my husband (not a doctor and thus not able to offer any professional advice in this regard) was quite pleased to return to work this week and leave me to it, just quietly.
Times like this, I miss sickies – the kind you can take when you’re in-house, knowing you can collapse in bed and focus on getting well. Rightly or wrongly I feel like there are different rules for freelancers, which might explain why I’d normally dose myself up, ignore my symptoms and smash through deadlines regardless. Unfortunately, my cold-busting strategies haven’t worked this time. It’s been a struggle thinking – much less writing – through the sinus brain fog.
Of course, I know logically that the world won’t end and my business won’t go under if I’m really sick. Editors and clients aren’t monsters. Generally, they’re understanding, especially if they’ve worked with you for long enough and know you’re reliable. Even so, having to contact editors to ask for extensions – like I’ve had to do this week – isn’t something I would want to make a habit of.
This little bed-bound interlude has taught me a few things, not least that I need a better back-up plan for next time I’m toppled by something nasty. As freelancers, we all do. Because chances are, you will get sick and – gasp – you may miss a deadline due to it.
Working well ahead of time is usually my tactic but when you’re sick on and off for over a month that doesn’t really fly. Dosing yourself up and working through illness while knowing you can take time off afterwards is also a good strategy if you’re not too sick. And having some good freelance mates you can refer a project onto in a pinch can also be a last resort if the client or editor’s deadline is unmoveable.
Me, I’m going to surrender to this tsunami of tissues and hope next week brings better health.
What’s your illness back-up plan? Do you have insurance in place in case you’re struck down by a longer illness and can’t pay your bills?
I think that’s the way to do it:
1. Explain the situation, ask for an extension.
2. If you can’t get an extension, either dose up or refer the work to a reliable peer.
I have clients with short deadlines as I appear to have a reputation for quick turnarounds so in many cases I’ll simply say ‘no’ if I’m sick and then let them know when I’m back on board.
I’ve thought about income protection insurance and I know people who’ve used it and tout it as a lifesaver but at the moment I’m trying to establish an income stream independent of the hours I work. As a backup plan I have savings and an understanding partner…
I have also considered income protection – I have a friend who found it a lifesaver when he got a bad bout of RSI. But like you, Adeline, I’m trying to minimise the outgoings right now!
Still, something to think about…