21st September 2011, 02:16 PM
I would be deeply suspicious of the motives of an archaeological contractor who decided that they would create a field team with a substantial SE element. In terms of quality assurance, you end up with 'staff' you cannot control or discipline, working to their own methods, but for whom you are ultimately liable. In terms of admin, you don't have to run a payroll system and therefore worry about holiday pay and sick pay, staff development etc. And travel and subsistence is not your problem. In short, it appears to be a cowboy's charter.