The irregular classification of employees as independent contractors is a problem that worries Hispanic workers because it affects mainly the restaurant, hotel, construction and other industries with a large amount of Hispanic labor.
If you are treated as a contractor, but should be classified as an employee, you could file a lawsuit against the company for which you work to recover your wages and other benefits.
That is why it is important that we know the difference, our legal options and how a lawsuit can help us to have our labor rights respected. In this article, below, we will give you some questions you should know.
How can I know if I am classified as an independent contractor?
A simple way to know if you are classified as an independent contractor is to check the tax form that your employer gave you. A Form 1099 Internal Revenue Service (IRS, for its acronym in English: Internal Revenue Service ) indicates that you are considered a contract worker. Workers hired as employees fill out the W-2 form.
Why do companies misclassify their employees?
Companies save a lot of money misclassifying their workers as independent contractors or also known as freelancers . Of course, not all contractors are misclassified.
A problem that affects us all
The United States Department of Labor ( DOL , for its acronym in English: United States Department of Labor ) describes the misclassification of independent contractors as “one of the most serious problems faced by workers, employers and the economy general”. DOL has partnered with the IRS and other state agencies to combat the practice of misclassification of workers and recover back wages and unpaid taxes. The agency, which focused on low-wage workers in the restaurant, hotel, construction, janitorial, agriculture, retail and manufacturing industries, has recovered billions of dollars for millions of workers.
Differences between an independent contractor and an employee
The Department of Labor admits that contractors play an important role in the US economy. Admittedly, the difference between a contractor and an employee is confusing in legal terms. However, major problems arise when employers deliberately misclassify employees in an effort to reduce costs. The costs associated with hiring independent contractors versus employees include not having to pay:
- Workers Compensation known as Workers Comp
- Social Security or Medicare contributions (FICA taxes)
- Unemployment insurance taxes
- The minimum wage according to what the law says
- Payment of overtime for more than 40 hours worked in a week of work
- Among other benefits
Employers also benefit from contract workers because they do not have to provide them with health insurance or pension plans, free time paid, which includes vacations, sick days, lunch breaks and other benefits that employees usually have. Workers who are under contract, in addition, can not sue based on labor laws that prohibit discrimination, harassment and unjustified dismissal.
When it is considered that independent contractors cost employers up to 30% less than employees, it is easy to see why this problem occurs. But, in addition to being illegal, the practice harms workers, deprives governments of tax revenues and creates a competitive disadvantage for companies that respect the law. In this post we show you clearly in a table the main differences between an employee and an independent contractor .
Most affected industries
- Innovative companies such as Uber , Lyft and Grubhub
- Construction
- Cleaning services
- Cargo and transport services
- Car, limousine and taxi services
- Domestic employees
- Cable service and Internet maintenance
- Real estate
- Media
- Security
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Adult entertainment (exotic dancers, for example)
Types of demands
Government officials are not the only ones making a concerted effort to hold employers accountable for misclassifying employees as independent contractors. The demands presented by the workers are also increasing. These demands also seek to return the money to the pockets of workers who were denied fair payment due to misclassification. It is important to note that they also allow workers to be proactive in correcting violations in the workplace, instead of waiting for the government to take action on their behalf.
Individual claims: Individual claims are filed by a single claimant, for their own benefit, to deal with accusations of improper classification of independent contractors.
Collective lawsuits: A class action lawsuit is filed by one, two or a small group of plaintiffs on behalf of other plaintiffs with a common employer to deal with workers’ misclassification claims.
Why is this practice so common?
One of the reasons why employers are able to misclassify employees as freelancers is that the distinction between the two types of workers is often confusing.
A single standard is not used to determine if a worker is the employee of a company or is in business for himself. Many government agencies have developed “tests” to determine the nature of an employment relationship. These tests revolve around the degree of control that an employer exercises over a worker.
The factors that are evaluated on the situation of workers:
- When, where and how does the work
- Tools and equipment used
- Appearance of the worker (toilet and uniform)
- Training, reports and compliance with assistance requirements
- Working hours
- Payment establishment
- Assuming the risk of profit or loss in the provision of services
- The freedom of the worker to engage in other employment
If the business controls all or most of these factors, then the worker is more likely to be an employee and NOT an independent contractor. However, if the worker primarily controls these aspects of the job, he is probably an independent contractor.
Other factors:
- The extent to which the work done is for the employer’s business
- The degree to which a worker exercises managerial skills that affect their opportunity for gain or loss
- How much the worker invests in tools and equipment in relation to the employer
- Permanence in the employment relationship
- The degree of skill and independent initiative needed to carry out the work
None of these factors are determinant, but are taken into account and considered in each particular case to make a determination of the dependence or economic independence of the worker.
Recover what belongs to you
If you believe that the company you work for is not respecting your employment rights and misclassifies you as an independent contractor, you may be eligible to file a claim requesting late payments and other benefits.