Learning from the Lessons of Unpaid Labour

All independent professionals should reflect seriously upon the latest downfall from grace of Derek Draper, who has apparently lost his unpaid advisory role with New Labour. Providing one's services free of charge to certain types of client can have serious consequences for one's professional reputation if things go wrong, and relationships turn sour. The "People Professions", of which Mr Draper is a member - as psychotherapist and political "spin doctor" - are, of course, particularly prone to relationship problems. However, all of us should adopt a cautionary approach to the provision of free advice, as should those who seek to procure it.