Micheal Newton. Greatcoat Films.

27th January 2023

Word is in from a freelancer that a video production company, Greatcoat Films, are currently late in paying freelancers’ invoices incurred before Christmas.

Not by much (the company blames a “change of accountants”) but as often happens in cases like this, when this kind of thing crops up, other issues also rise to the surface.

In this case it is that the company also appears to be a little careless when it comes to its minimum wage responsibilities as well as their obligations around holiday pay.

When asked about the latter, their Head of Music Video, Micheal Newton, appeared somewhat confused on the subject, claiming that “freelancers” aren’t due holiday pay unless it is specifically agreed beforehand. Not remotely true of course (holiday pay, or time off, is a statutory obligation of all employers to all workers, freelance or not) but it was a subject upon which he seemed utterly immovable, stopping responding when the facts were put in front of him and seemingly not interested in hearing anything which might contradict his apparently settled point of view.

This ignorance of the company’s employment responsibilities might also explain why the Producer of the project, Dwyte Ash, felt it was somehow appropriate to offer a runner less than the legal minimum for their work on the production (when challenged the minimum rate was then offered).

All workers are of course due at least the minimum wage for every hour they work as well as holiday pay over and above the rate agreed. If any freelancer working for that company finds they haven’t been paid one or the other, do feel free to get in touch.

And then there is of course a legal entitlement to late payment fees and interest if a company doesn’t stump up what they owe within the prescribed time (again happy to help if the promised pay doesn’t materialise next week).

All in all it seems to be an ignominious start to 2023 for this particular company.