831 - Contract workers are concerned about being sued

I talk to a lot of small business owners, both those who work from home and those who have a physical location.

The threat of a lawsuit is definitely front and center for many business owners, especially contract workers who enter their clients' properties.

Here is a short list of the kinds of contractors who are liable to lawsuits:

Electricians HVAC In-home computer repair services

Plumbers Carpenters Home security installers

Painters Lawn care Home healthcare providers

Pest Control Maid Services Tutors

They must take proactive steps to prevent disputes and legal issues by defining the work to be performed IN WRITING.

Verbal communication alone is not enough. People hear things differently.

Case in point - My brother was a painting contractor who often painted inside his clients' homes. One client accused him of damaging furniture on the second floor. He was painting the dining room on the first floor and had never been upstairs. Luckily, he quickly diffused that situation.

It could have turned into a lawsuit. Luckily, my brother has legal protection if he is ever sued.

Contract workers are busy people!

There's that word, BUSY.

Busyness prevents people from slowing down to speed up. They think they don't have time to review policies and procedures.

Those are often the people who find themselves in time-consuming lawsuits, whether they were wrong or not.

Business owners should assess the potential risks of having contract workers on customers' properties and develop policies and procedures to minimize those risks.

Every contract worker should take the time to discuss possible risks with all their employees.

Know the risks, make a plan, prevent the drama!

Contract workers don't often receive training on company policies and procedures. It's up to the business owner to provide training on company policies and procedures.

When they set expectations for both the worker and the customer, it will help prevent misunderstandings and disputes down the line.

Many contract workers don't communicate openly with their customers. They are in a hurry to get a job done.

Verbal communication alone is not enough. People hear things differently.

Who do you know who is a contract worker?

As a contract worker, do you ensure every job is communicated in writing?

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