[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1648133998851{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]EMPLOYEE VERSUS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – FINAL RULE ANNOUNCED
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule that is intended to clarify the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The effective date of the final rule is March 8, 2021.
This rule streamlines the test to determine who is an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act to help reduce misclassification of workers and to simplify compliance for businesses. Six real-life examples are included in the rule and are intended to provide greater clarity for businesses and the workforce.
The final rule includes the following clarifications:
- Reaffirms an “economic reality” test to determine whether an individual is in business for him or herself (independent contractor) or is economically dependent on a potential employer for work (FLSA employee).
- Identifies and explains two “core factors” that are most probative to the question of whether a worker is economically dependent on someone else’s business or is in business for him or herself:
- The nature and degree of control over the work.
- The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on initiative and/or investment.
- Identifies three other factors that may serve as additional guideposts in the analysis, particularly when the two core factors do not point to the same classification. The factors are:
- The amount of skill required for the work.
- The degree of permanence of the working relationship between the worker and the potential employer.
- Whether the work is part of an integrated unit of production.
- The actual practice of the worker and the potential employer is more relevant than what may be contractually or theoretically possible.
- Provides six fact-specific examples applying the factors.
Carney Badley Spellman is about Advocacy, Strategy, Results. Located in Seattle, we are a full-service law firm committed to exceptional client service and professional excellence. Our firm serves individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, closely-held or family businesses, franchises, Fortune 500 corporations, and insurance companies. They are in the private sector, public sector, and governments. Our clients are forward thinkers, creative, collaborative, and deliver high-quality products and business services to their markets. Their markets extend into almost every industry including, food and beverage, retail, professional services, arts, health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction, real estate, and more. We advocate for our clients. We strategize with them to meet their goals.
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