Aren’t you currently misclassified as an independent contractor?

If you are misclassified as an independent contractor, you are losing your rightful benefits and legal protections.

An employee misclassified as an independent contractor is not guaranteed of meal or rest breaks, medical or maternity leave, unemployment insurance benefits or disability plans. Also, a misclassified employee might not be able to participate in profit sharing, obtain an itemized paycheck, or receive reimbursement of expenses associated with the employment.

Many employers offer their employees 401(k); however, employees misclassified as independent contracts are not eligible for tax benefits of contribution and employers’ matching contribution. Employers also provide medical/dental benefits, and law requires the right to continuing coverage after leaving the employment through COBRA act.  However, independent contractors are denied of these benefits.  Besides independent contractors are denied of paid vacation and sick leave and are not guaranteed of continuing employment on return from a medical leave.

If you cause injury to a third-party during the performance of your work duties as an employee, your employer would be liable for your actions and would be required to indemnify you from liability. However, an independent contractor would be named personally in a lawsuit for personal liability. Also, an independent contractor is not protected by the law against retaliation for whistleblowing, discrimination and harassment. When in a lawsuit against an employer, a Californian employee who wins his wage claim can recover attorney fees by statute, but an independent contractor’s only right to recover attorney’s fees is if it was written in the employment contract.

In general, employees have more legal protection such as right to claim waiting time penalty for delayed paycheck.

What classifies an independent contractor?

In general, most people, when they are employed, must be classified as employees. In special cases, they are classified as independent contractors. Classification as an independent contractor is fundamentally governed by how much an employer has control or supervision over your work. If an employer supervises your work, provides tools and equipment, sets work hours and the location for work and prevents you from working with other clients, you must be classified as an employee instead of an independent contractor. Also, if your work duty does not require a degree, license, certification, or special training, you are most likely an employee, not an independent contractor.

 

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