Independent Contractor Agreement (Handler Terms)

This document outlines the Terms and Conditions (“Agreement”) governing the relationship between PAPEPO LTD (“Platform”, “we”, “us”) and the registered service provider (“Handler”, “Independent Contractor”, “you”). By registering as a Handler on the PAPEPO platform and accepting service routes, you agree to be bound by these terms.

1. Independent Contractor Status

1.1 Self-Employed Nature: You are engaged strictly as an Independent Contractor. PAPEPO operates solely as a peer-to-peer matchmaking marketplace. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relationship, partnership, or joint venture. PAPEPO does not provide insurance and is not liable for any property damage, personal injury, or pet incidents caused during your service.
1.2 Taxes & Liabilities: You are exclusively responsible for declaring your earnings to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and paying all applicable Income Tax and National Insurance contributions.
1.3 Freedom of Work: You maintain absolute autonomy to log on, accept or decline routes, set your own working hours, and provide services to other companies or private clients (including competitors) without restriction.

2. Right of Substitution

2.1 As an Independent Contractor running your own business, you possess the absolute right to appoint and send a qualified substitute (subcontractor or assistant) to perform the scheduled services on your behalf. PAPEPO does not mandate personal service by you specifically, provided that your substitute strictly adheres to PAPEPO’s veterinary-grade service standards and bio-security protocols. You remain solely responsible for the remuneration and actions of your substitute.

3. Business Ownership & Route Continuity

3.1 Client Relationship: At PAPEPO, you are building your own independent business. The recurring customers assigned to your route belong to your active book of business. To guarantee your business stability and foster client loyalty, our Dual-Track Capacity Engine automatically reserves and locks your future service slots up to 60 days in advance for your active subscriptions.
3.2 Platform Intervention: PAPEPO acts solely as the software and payment facilitator. We will not arbitrarily reassign your active, satisfied customers to other Handlers. However, PAPEPO reserves the right to intervene, reassign customers, or release your reserved slots back to the public pool immediately in the event of: (a) verified customer complaints regarding your service, (b) failure to maintain our veterinary-grade hygiene standards, (c) extended account inactivity, or (d) platform safety violations.
3.3 Customer Data: While you service these clients, all underlying software accounts, data infrastructure, and subscription ledgers remain hosted and managed by PAPEPO LTD in compliance with UK GDPR.

4. Service Standards & Equipment

4.1 Bio-Security & Quality: You agree to execute all services to the highest professional standard. This includes double-bagging all waste using certified leak-proof biodegradable bags, and strictly applying veterinary-grade disinfectant to all tools, boots, and serviced areas to prevent cross-contamination.
4.2 Independent Compliance: You are responsible for providing your own tools, transport, smart device, and data connection. As an independent contractor, you retain ultimate operational control over your equipment choices. You may purchase approved materials directly from PAPEPO or independently source third-party supplies that strictly meet PAPEPO’s technical specifications.
4.3 Quality Enforcement: While you control your execution, if you are reported to have used substandard or unapproved materials, PAPEPO reserves the absolute right to terminate your access to the platform immediately.

5.1 Standard Payouts: You operate on a flat platform fee architecture. For each successfully completed standard service visit, PAPEPO LTD will deduct a fixed platform fee as specified during your onboarding. The remaining balance will be transferred via Stripe Connect to your designated bank account.
5.2 Promotional Adjustments: To facilitate platform growth, PAPEPO LTD reserves the absolute right to launch promotional discounts for new customers (e.g., “50% Off First Trial Visit” or “50% Off Initial Deep Clean”). You explicitly agree that when servicing a customer utilizing a promotion, your gross earnings for that specific promotional segment will be reduced by the exact corresponding percentage.
5.3 Regular Billing Reversion: Following the completion of the promotional visit, all subsequent recurring visits under that customer’s subscription will revert automatically to full standard platform payout rates.

6. Financial Processing & Chargebacks

6.1 Payment Gateway: All transactions are processed via Stripe Connect. You agree that third-party payment gateway fees (including card processing fees and instant payout fees) are your sole responsibility and will be deducted from your gross earnings by Stripe.
6.2 Disputes & Refunds: If a customer initiates a valid chargeback, dispute, or demands a refund due to verified poor service execution or property damage on your part, the disputed amount and any associated bank penalty fees will be deducted from your account. PAPEPO LTD does not subsidize banking overheads or dispute losses for Independent Contractors.

7. Insurance & Liability

7.1 Public Liability: While PAPEPO provides the matching software, you are solely liable for the physical execution of the service. You are strongly advised to maintain adequate Public Liability Insurance to protect your independent business against claims of property damage, pet injury, or unlocked gates resulting from your operations.
7.2 Indemnity: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless PAPEPO LTD from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising directly from your actions, negligence, or failure to secure a customer’s property (e.g., failing to lock a garden gate).

8. Termination

8.1 This Agreement operates on a rolling basis. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time, with immediate effect, without penalty or requirement for cause. Upon termination, any pending completed payouts will be processed to your Stripe account as normal.