I worked for this person and their “business partner” for a couple years. Person A was bankrolling person B’s dream (which to be honest was outdated by two decades in todays markets, but 50$ an hour is $50 an hour)
Eventually person A starts their own business and is using my services as well for over a year. I eventually get a job at a firm and tell them I don’t have time. They freak out and ask to match the firms offer. It was $100 an hour (billed directly to clients) and final say on creative control. They said they couldn’t do that. I walked.
Two months later I get a call from Person A frantically needing my services because they couldn’t find anyone with my skill set for the pay they wanted to offer. So I say if you meet my current pay I will be available part time. Done deal. This goes on for a few months.
Then one day Person A starts bragging about hiring the best lawyer in town to handle all the legal aspects of business and even says they are $1000 an hour. This is important.
A few weeks later Person A says “oh my lawyer needs you to sign this contract. It’s an NDA and some other stuff.” Cool. I’ve done NDA’s before. She hands me the three page contract and I start to read it quietly. Person A asks “what are you doing?”
“I’m reading it. It’s a contract. “
“Oh it’s fine you can just sign it.”
“Sorry, my father told me never sign something you haven’t read and don’t understand fully.”
“Oh… well… take it home and bring it back on Thursday when we meet.”
Y’all. This. Contract. Was. Wild.
First of all it is titled “Contract for employees.” Cool. I’m a contractor. I don’t work for you, I work with you.
And by signing it I was immediately in violation of it.
Some of the stipulations were “you can not work for a person or company in the same industry in perpetuity. “ ok. Never having a similar client forever.
“Any and all locations, digital devices, and hard drives where work has been done may be searched without warning at anytime.” You mean all my devices, my home and my car? Fuck you.
“You must give a 90 day notice.” Double Fuck you.
“Employer is not responsible for any benefits including but not limit d to 401k, health, dental, injury on the job, etc.” triple fuck you.
“Any and all legal fees that may arise to breach in the contract will 100% be at the cost of the signee, not the company or Person A, or any affiliates therein.” Suck my dick.
And the best part…
“This contract and all clauses are binding in perpetuity until the end of life of the signee and their offspring and for up to but not limited to 20 years before employment.” MY FUCKING KIDS?!?!?!
Ok. So. I had previously worked with clients in that field. Signing it meant I was automatically in breach of contract.
Fortunately the legal council my then current job was a cool as shit old dude that gave no fucks. I asked him to review it. He happily agreed but said it may take up to a week or two.
Meanwhile, Person A is spamming my phone daily asking for the contract. I told her my council was reviewing it. They said “why?! It’s a simple contract. Just sign it and return it. “
I said I will when I have the notes back, and it could take two weeks. They sent me an eye roll gif.
Two weeks to the day my company’s council rings me up and says “god damn. I’ve been doing this for almost forty years and this is the most mean spirited cutthroat contract I’ve ever read. I emailed you two docs, one is the amended contract, one is the latter stating all the flaws in it. “
I open the letter and all it says is “contract is incorrect. OP is a contractor. Not employee. “ PEROID. NOTHING ELSE BELOW THE LEGAL LETTER HEAD. marvelous. The amended contract was basically 75% struck through with notes saying “this is illegal federally.” “This is illegal on a state level.” Etc.
I forwarded them to Person A and got a text saying “if you knew this was the wrong contract you should have just told me. My lawyer is going to charge me at least three thousand dollars to write a new one. “
I said “I’m only going off what my council gave me back .”
Two weeks later I get a text from person A. “Hey I wanted to talk to you. We’re no longer able to meet your hourly pay and need to drop you to $50 an hour. We all knew this couldn’t last. “
I replied “I totally understand and see where you’re coming from. I wish you the best in your endeavor and can’t wait to see it go love. As of today our agreement is terminated. “
Person A tried to argue but I never replied to their text messages.
Moral of the story. READ ANY CONTRACT YOUR GIVEN AND DONT BE AFRAID TO NOT SIGN IT WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
Fun fact. Person A is married. I found evidence on both their digital devices (that they willing handed me to find photos or videos for the projects) that person a and person b were having an affair.