Tag: District 4

Online ESL Teacher

Amanda Fredericks

kimkavin

I love my job teaching English as a second language online with VIPKid. It has allowed me to connect with children across the world, build strong relationships with people of other cultures, and give me a sense of pride and confidence about my teaching abilities. I would be devastated to lose this job.

Believe me, I know that it’s not for everybody. I wake up at 4 a.m. and teach from 4:30 a.m. until 8 am. I work Monday through Saturday, and I often work Friday or Saturday nights from 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. For me, it’s a great situation. It pays well and allows me to homeschool my children.

My family needs my income to make ends meet. I am grateful for my income. I am happy to be an independent contractor. I do not need health benefits, insurance or overtime. My family is covered through my husband’s insurance.

What I want lawmakers to know: Leave those of us who choose to be independent contractors alone. I am a taxpaying and hard-working citizen.

Writer

Krystle Dodge

kimkavin

I am the primary breadwinner in my family, and as the mom of a toddler, I love the work-life balance of being a freelance writer. I really enjoy the autonomy and freedom to take on new assignments (or to skip offers). I also love the variety of the work I do.

If I could no longer work as a freelancer, then I would have to find a traditional job (which would mean paying more for child care, having less time with my family and, in my industry, making considerably less money) or I would have to move out of New Jersey (which I would hate to do, because our family and friends are here and we just bought what we consider our forever home).

What I want lawmakers to know: Please think carefully before limiting the career options of those who choose to be self-employed. The state should not infringe on the right of individuals to work as they choose.

Direct sales consultant, Online ESL Teacher, Social media evaluator, Transcriber

Christina Lukac

kimkavin

I lost my job as a corporate trainer when I was on maternity leave with my newborn twins. I was unable to return to work at a traditional job because of the incredibly high child-care costs for three kids, so I started working as an independent contractor from home. During the past four years, I have worked as a direct sales consultant, social media evaluator, transcriber and online teacher of English as a second language.

My independent contractor work has allowed me to put food on my family’s table. I also have a chronic condition with my pelvis that can make long commutes and sitting in an office all day very painful; working remotely has allowed me to have a flexible schedule that my body can handle.

What lawmakers should know: Jobs are not going to magically appear if you restrict independent contractor choices. Instead, you are going to take away the work that I have established for myself.

I depend on this income to help provide for my family. As an independent contractor, I know that I don’t have traditional benefits, but I choose to remain independent because I can create my own schedule and work as much or as little as I please. No big company is exploiting me.

Target the bad actors, not the individuals like me.