The misclassification of employees as independent contractors is a serious problem affecting employees, employers and the U.S. economy. Misclassified workers are denied basic workplace protections including rights to minimum wage and overtime pay, making it harder for them to support themselves and their families. Meanwhile, employers who comply with the law are at a competitive disadvantage when competing against employers who misclassify employees and pay them less than the law requires and fail to provide other employment-based worker protections. At the same time, legitimate independent contractors play an important role in our economy.

The Department of Labor is revisiting rulemaking on determining employee or independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act and and are holding two public forums next week to hear diverse perspectives from those who may be affected by employee or independent contractor classification.

Find more resources on classifying workers correctly under current rules.