If you have a dispute with your hirer, there are a number of options available to help you resolve it and preserve your business relationship.
Following these steps will help you to work through a dispute with your hirer:
1 – Check your contract
If your contract is in writing, read it carefully and make sure you are in the right. If it has a dispute resolution clause, follow its steps. If you do not have a written contract, start at step 2.
2 – Discuss the problem
Request a meeting to discuss the problem. At the meeting, explain your concerns and listen to the hirer's side of the story. Try to find a solution that works for you both. Take notes.
3 – Put it in writing
If talking about it doesn't work, put your concerns in a polite letter or e-mail to the hirer. If possible, outline more than one option to achieve a resolution. Include any reasonable concessions you are willing to make, and leave the door open for further discussion. If you need help to draft it, consult your industry association, union, business adviser or get legal advice. You can choose to hire a lawyer to write and send it, however just be aware that this can make it difficult to preserve your business relationship with your hirer.
4 – Get a third party involved
If the dispute remains unresolved, consider alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation, conciliation or arbitration. If the dispute is about money, consider engaging a debt collection firm; however be aware this could make it difficult to preserve your business relationship.
5 – Take the matter to court
If you are unable to resolve your dispute through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution, you may decide to take your case to court.
Find out more about dispute resolution:
