Independent consultant vs FT employee
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Independent consultant vs FT employee
The comapny I work for was awarded a government
contract. While the contract is still in various approval
stages, they hired employees under the premise of
being ‘independent consultants’ for 90 days,
anticipating to have the contract approved and
implemented in that time frame. They have not and
are looking to extend it to another 90 days.
As consultants, we are required to be at the office,
from open to close 8 hours, use company materials
and resources computer, office space, phones, etc,
required to attend company training, etc. As
consultants we do not have benefits nor are taxes
taken from our checks.
By definition, am I not an ’employee’? In addition to
being underpaid the industry standard for my job, I’m
losing even more money because the entire tax
burden is on me. Company stated once the contract
is implemented and I am hired as an employee, my
time as a consultant will not be transferred/paid back
retroactively. I assume this is the same for taxes.
Is this company cheating us ‘consultants’ and the
IRS? What are my options? I could quit, but am in a
remote area where jobs are extremely scarce. I don’t
want to stop working for the company, as I do enjoy
what I do. I just feel as though I’m being cheated.
Thanks.
Asked on April 26, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Alaska
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
You are correct: based upon the degree of control exercised over you by the company (e.g. their control over the hours and location of your work, their provision of and control over the tools, materials, or equipment you use, their presumed control over how you do the job, etc.), you should be classified as employees, not contractors. That means that your employer should be paying the employer share of tax withholding for you; should be giving you benefits (e.g. sick days, vacation, health insurance, etc.) if such are given to other employees at the company; and if you are not exempt from overtime based on your job duties/authority and how (and how much) you are paid, should pay overtime when you work more than 40 hours in a week.
(Note: salaried employees can qualify for overtime, if they don't meet one or more of the tests or criteria for exemption. You can find those tests or criteria on the U.S Dept. of Labor website.)
You seem to be being cheated of compensation, based on what you write. You could contact the state or federal department(s) of labor to file a complaint, or possibly file a lawsuit for the taxes and other compensation you should have received.
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