A recent article from the ABAJournal highlights a new emerging dispute in employee v.s. independent contractor law – you can check that article out here
Reasons for Business Owners to Properly Classify Workers
ln a previous blog post I talked about the consequences of business owners mislabeling employment status see here
Employee v.s. Contractor – Matters to the Worker
“Employees” enjoy protections under Federal and State law not afforded to independent contractors.
Take for example the Michigan Wage and Fringe Benefit Act – which requires Employers to pay employees every two weeks, or at a minimum on a monthly basis. MCL 408.472. The Michigan law also imposes strict penalties for an employer found to have violated an employee’s rights.
New Technology – New Questions for Workers
It isn’t a surprise that technology has given rise to a dispute in this area of the law.
The article gives reasons why these “app-summoned” workers are grumbling about their “wrongful” status of independent contractor. Being labeled an Independent contractor presumes a level of autonomy – apparently not enjoyed by the plaintiffs in the lawsuits.
Could Technology Give Rise to a New Legal Classification?
Interestingly, some law professors’ solution is creating a new class: “Dependent Contractors” – a sort of hybrid of rights and duties. It will be interesting to see what comes of these lawsuits – a new classification for workers?
Questions? Comments?
email: Jeshua@dwlawpc.com
Purpose Driven General Counsel 