I worked with Verdant Strategies — allegedly — as an independent contractor for social media management, SEO, and content marketing. Initially, I was excited about contributing to their brand’s success, but as our working relationship progressed, significant issues emerged regarding communication, role clarity, and contractual compliance.
Contract Misalignment and Role Expectations
While I was contracted as an independent contractor with full autonomy over my work, I was increasingly treated more like an employee—including mandatory meetings, restricted workflow autonomy, and constant last-minute requests. The contract clearly stated that I retained discretion over how and when to perform my tasks, but in reality, I was expected to follow company SOPs, rely exclusively on their tools, and adhere to rigid, employer-like oversight.
At one point, Florian even acknowledged on a recorded call that I was being treated as an employee rather than an independent contractor, which contradicts California’s AB-5 law on worker classification.
Communication and Workflow Challenges
A major issue throughout my time with Verdant Strategies was the lack of clear communication and responsiveness:
- Delayed Approvals: Despite operating on a content approval workflow, I often had to request approvals multiple times, leading to unnecessary bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
- Inconsistent Availability: I was informed that the company would be taking a 30-day break for the holidays, but I still received Slack messages and work requests during that period—creating confusion over expectations.
- Shifting Priorities & Urgent Requests: The team frequently introduced new urgent tasks, derailing the planned strategy and creating a chaotic work environment.
Breach of Contract and Termination Issues
When my contract was terminated, it was not done according to the agreed-upon terms.
- Per our contract, termination required a 10-day written notice via email—but I was only informed via Upwork chat, which violates the agreed process and denied me compensation for that period.
- Furthermore, the workload had already expanded far beyond the agreed scope, making it impossible to execute tasks effectively within the constraints imposed.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
While Verdant Strategies may be a fit for those who prefer an employee-like contractor role with minimal autonomy, I would caution other independent contractors who expect to operate with true contractual independence. The company failed to respect key contractual obligations and blurred the line between contractor and employee, potentially exposing itself to legal risk under California labor law.
✅ Pros:
- Interesting projects in the cannabis industry
- Opportunity to implement marketing strategies
❌ Cons:
- Constantly shifting priorities and unclear communication
- Delayed approvals and inefficient workflows
- Misclassification concerns – treated as an employee despite being a contractor
- Improper contract termination process
- High-pressure expectations beyond the agreed scope
Advice For Future Contractors
Get everything in writing, clarify boundaries and scope early, and be prepared to assert your rights if treated like an employee while classified as an independent contractor.
Would I work with Verdant Strategies again? Only under stricter terms with proper contractor protections in place.
