On September 12, 2019, three City of Minneapolis Council members shared a draft ordinance, the Minneapolis Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance. As it is just in the draft stages, I won’t go into great detail here, but to point it out.  For those Minnesota employers who rely on independent contractors – the development of this potential ordinance is one to follow.  The City is seeking feedback from freelancers in surveys and meetings.  However, the draft ordinance seeks to essentially expand the current Minneapolis Wage Theft Ordinance to independent contractors (also called “freelancers”).  The ordinance, as currently proposed, includes requirements such as:

• If requested by the freelancer, a written contract including:
  • Name and address
  • Itemization of all services
  • Compensation for the services (rates and method)
  • Date payment is due or mechanism for how it will be determined
• If a freelancer requests a written contract, work cannot begin until a contract is agreed upon (or the employer decides not to use that person’s services).
• Timely payment pursuant to the contract (or 30 days if no date is specified)

Again, this is just in the development stages,  but employers should at least be aware that this is looming.