Sometimes I apply for a job on the payroll. Every time I hope I can convince the company to hire me as freelancer. But it rarely works. And it makes me a bit angry, because I know I'm a good fit for the job, and it hurts to be discarded just because you prefer to work as a freelancer. When I ask them why, they are giving me reasons that can be boiled down to 'not loyal' or 'to expensive'.

Freelancers are not loyal Loyalty comes both ways. I've been working as a freelancer for years now. And I can tell honestly that I've never had a contract for more than a year. Sometimes it is extended, sometimes it's not. My notice period is always limited to 4 weeks, even when the contract is extended. On the other hand you see employees having indefinite contracts, with notice periods increasing - and work ethics decreasing - based on the years of employment. What employees are showing is not loyalty, but opportunism.

Freelancers are expensive As a freelancer you only get paid for the time you actually work. And I admit that the daily or hourly rate of a freelancer is a lot higher than the daily or hourly rate of an employee. But freelancers have to make up for the days we are not working: sick days, holidays, unemployment days, ... We also have to pay for our own training, courses, certifications, ... All of this and more is included in our price. So, I'm sure that if you would compare freelancers and employees based on their actual cost, the difference would be minimal.

But with a freelancer you get someone who actually cares about your company, because your company is my client. And if I do a good job for your company, my own company will benefit from it in terms of new clients.

What do you think the real reason is companies do not like to hire freelancers?