The United States Department of Labor has added yet another website, this time providing a framework for individuals to research whether they are properly classified as an “independent contractor” or an “employee”. This new site provides information about pay and misclassification; health and safety concerns on the job; unemployment insurance and misclassification; anti-retaliation/anti-discrimination rights; federal taxes and misclassification; health care and retirement benefits; and state and federal government resources. Why is classification important? Independent contractors have no taxes withheld (responsible for paying their own), are not provided benefits, minimum wage, overtime, fringe benefits, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation and the like through the hiring business. So, the DOL is responsible to ensure that an employer does not skirt those obligations by falsely labeling a worker.

There has been no change in the law, just heightened awareness and enforcement. Accordingly, employers who are heavy users of independent contractors (outside of the computer sciences arena) should take a look at how the individual is being utilized to ensure a true independent contractor relationship is appropriate. There is no bright line test, unfortunately, and the IRS, DOL and courts all have different factors they consider. The IRS uses the “control test” which looks at the degree of control over the worker based on three areas: (1) behavior control; (2) financial control; and (3) the relationship of the parties. For more information on this method, click here. Keep in mind that, especially with long-term independent contractors, if the degree of control changes, a worker may start out in one classification and end up in another. Thus, when you are doing an HR audit of wages and compensation, that is a good time to also look at your independent contractor classifications as well.