The Disguised Project Contract: The Trap of False Self-Employment

You sign a contract for consulting work, but end up sticking to fixed hours, using company equipment, and taking orders like an employee. This is false self-employment, a common trap for freelancers.

In Italy, the disguised project contract is a frequent abuse. Companies use it to avoid paying social security contributions, vacation, sick leave, and the 13th-month bonus, shifting all the risks onto you. As a professional, you are entitled to clear protections.

What Is a Disguised Project Contract?

A project contract should tie your compensation to a specific outcome, with organizational autonomy. If the client sets your hours, provides a fixed workstation, and controls your work, you are no longer self-employed: you are a disguised employee.

Italian law (Legislative Decree 81/2015) stipulates that self-employment is genuine only if you have full freedom to organize your work. Otherwise, a presumption of subordination applies.

Red Flags

• Fixed hours: If you have to clock in or follow a daily schedule set by the client.
• Company equipment: If you use a computer, phone, or car provided by the client without the option to choose alternatives.
• Hierarchy: If a supervisor assigns you tasks and checks results step by step.
• Exclusivity: If the contract prohibits you from working for other clients.

The Consequences for You

Signing a disguised project contract means losing protections: no full social security contributions, no sick leave or injury benefits, no paid vacation. If the relationship ends, you have no right to notice or unemployment benefits.

You can defend yourself. The law allows you to request the reclassification of the contract as subordinate employment, with all associated rights. The problem is that you have to go to court, and often you lack the evidence.

How to Avoid the Trap Before Signing

Prevention is your best weapon. Before signing a self-employment contract, ask yourself:

• Is the compensation tied to a specific result or to hours worked?
• Do I have the freedom to choose how, when, and where to work?
• Does the client require me to use their equipment?
• Are there exclusivity clauses?

If even one answer is 'yes,' stop. Request changes or upload the contract to NakedPact for a transparent analysis.

NakedPact's Role in Your Defense

NakedPact removes the veil from obscure clauses. Uploading your contract is simple: we analyze it with artificial intelligence and flag critical points, such as exclusivity clauses or lack of organizational autonomy. This way, you can negotiate with full knowledge.

Don't let a false self-employment contract steal your rights and peace of mind. Your professional freedom deserves a clear and honest contract.

How the Checklist Works and Why It Matters

This interactive checklist lets you self-assess whether your self-employment relationship is genuine. Each item corresponds to an indicator of subordination, based on Italian case law and Legislative Decree 81/2015. If you check even one box, it's a red flag: your contract could be a case of false self-employment.

The line between self-employment and subordination is often blurry. Companies write contracts with seemingly harmless clauses that, in practice, turn you into an employee without protections. For example, a clause requiring you to 'be available during office hours' or 'attend weekly meetings' can be interpreted as subordination.

The checklist helps you identify these pitfalls before they become a problem. It's not a definitive diagnostic tool: the final assessment rests with a labor court judge, who will analyze the relationship as a whole. However, using this checklist gives you an edge: you can spot red flags and act promptly.

If your contract shows even one of these indicators, you have two options: request a contract amendment or, if the relationship is already ongoing, gather evidence (emails, messages, time logs) to prove subordination. In either case, NakedPact can help you read between the lines of the contract and prepare a strategy.

Genuine self-employment is a valuable resource for the economy, but only if it's free and transparent. Don't get trapped by a contract that promises autonomy but imposes chains. Upload your contract to NakedPact today and find out if you're truly free to work as you wish.

The next time you receive a contract, don't sign blindly. Use the checklist, consult with an expert, and leverage the power of NakedPact for an immediate, clear analysis. Your career deserves a contract that respects your independence.