what kind of lawyer for workplace dispute between employer and independent contractor

by Marquise Gottlieb 4 min read

If you are considering hiring an independent contractor for any work, an employment lawyer from Priori Legal's vetted network can help you draft an independent contractor agreement that is tailored for your company's needs. Understanding Independent Contractor Agreements

An experienced employment law attorney will be able to review the contract between you and the company that hired you. Additionally, they will be able to represent you should any issues arise regarding your work performed under the contract.Feb 17, 2020

Full Answer

Do I need a contract lawyer if I'm an independent contractor?

Therefore, if you are an independent contractor, it is in your best interests to consult with a well qualified and knowledgeable contract lawyers. An experienced employment law attorney will be able to review the contract between you and the company that hired you.

What are the different types of employment law disputes?

Jun 22, 2017 · Take Donald G. Cave A Professional Law Corp. v. Commissioner, where the U.S. Tax Court held an incorporated law firm's sole shareholder, his associate attorneys and law clerk were all employees. If...

What is the difference between employee and independent contractor?

Morgan & Morgan files the most employment litigation cases in the country, including those involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage theft, employee misclassification, defamation, retaliation, denial of leave, and executive pay disputes. The workplace should be a safe place.

Do I need an attorney for an employment law case?

Apr 06, 2022 · An employer has control over what work the independent contractor must do but not how or when that work is done. Contractors will not have taxes withheld on the payments provided by the employer ...

What is an employee employer disputes?

Employment Dispute means any dispute arising from actual or alleged: unfair or wrongful dismissal, discrimination, denial of natural justice, workplace harassment, unfair or wrongful demotion (or failure to promote, employ or recommend for employment) of any person (including an Employee) or misleading representation ...

Can you sue a company for employee misconduct?

In New York State, the Workers' Compensation Law is an employee's sole legal remedy for an injury that occurs on the job. What this means is that an injured employee cannot sue a co-employee or employer for negligence that caused the injury.

Is it worth suing your employer?

If you sue your employer, it won't be enough for you to prove that your employer made the wrong decision, or even that your employer was a no-goodnik. If you don't have a valid legal claim against your employer, then you will ultimately lose your case. One big reason to think twice before you sue.May 24, 2013

Can I sue my company for work related stress?

Your legal right to make a stress claim You do have the right to make a legal claim for stress against your employer. These are not easy claims to bring, but they do happen and many are successful. A claim would generally be either for personal injury or constructive dismissal.Nov 5, 2010

What is grey area law?

A traditional grey area in law firms involves of counsel lawyers, where lines can blur. Independent contractor treatment offers the benefits of: No income tax withholding; No employment taxes; No agency liability for the acts of your employees (whether driving a car on company business or legal malpractice liability);

Is a lawyer an independent contractor?

Even lawyers can be independent contractors or employees. If you hire a lawyer for a few hours of consulting, a flat fee assignment, or contingent fee case, you may not think twice. In those situations, your lawyer is presumably an independent contractor, just like a doctor who treats you.

Can lawyers be targets?

Lawyers can be prime targets, and in some cases, they get caught. Take Donald G. Cave A Professional Law Corp. v. Commissioner, where the U.S. Tax Court held an incorporated law firm's sole shareholder, his associate attorneys and law clerk were all employees.

Was Steve Cave an employee?

Cave himself was an employee, all his associates were, as was his law clerk. Plus, Cave and his law firm failed to issue the requisite Forms 1099 and didn’t have a reasonable basis for the contractor treatment.

What happens if an independent contractor is an employee?

What if the IRS determines that an independent contractor agreement makes the contractor an employee? If the IRS determines that an independent contractor is really an employee due to the terms of the independent contractor agreement or other circumstances, your company faces back taxes and serious fines.

Why do businesses use independent contractors?

Many businesses use independent contractors to complete short-term or episodic projects instead of hirinng full or part-time employees. Still, this relationship must be properly defined in an independent contractor agreement or both parties may end up in costly disputes.

What are client and contractor responsibilities?

Client and Contractor Responsibilities. Many deliverables require input from both the client and the contractor. This should define what each of these are, as well as any penalties for failing to live up to them on either party’s end. Non-Disclosure. This ensures that secret company work product remains secret.

What is an independent contractor agreement?

Independent contractor agreements are legal documents that define the relationship, dictate the terms and expectations of the project, and ensure that the contractor’s status is legally protected as such. These contracts serve as the legal basis of the client-contractor relationship.

Can an independent contractor be a limited contractor?

No matter how well you draft an independent contractor agreement, it will still be limited. If you are treating the contractor like an employee, such as by requiring work be done in a certain location during certain hours, giving extensive instructions on how work must be done, or defining by whom all work must be completed, an independent contractor agreement alone will not prevent the IRS, a state or the courts from redefining the relationship. That’s why you must be aware of the limitations of an independent contractor agreement before ever signing one. If you are not sure if the work you need can be covered under an independent contractor relationship, it may help to discuss the specific with a corporate lawyer.

Do independent contractors need to be full time?

Companies often need work done by a professional that may not require the full-time dedication of an employee. Independent contractors fill this role, yet the contractor client relationship is often fraught with discord, especially when expectations are not set clearly.

What are the forms of unfair labor practices?

Unfair and discriminatory labor practices against employees can take many forms, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, refusal to give a reasonable accommodation, denial of leave, employer retaliation, and wage and hour violations.

What is defamation in the workplace?

Defamation is generally defined as the act of damaging the reputation of a person through slanderous (spoken) or libelous (written) comments. When defamation occurs in the workplace, it has the potential to harm team morale, create alienation, or even cause long-term damage to a worker’s career prospects.

What is workplace harassment?

When workers are subjected to slurs, assaults, threats, ridicule, offensive jokes, unwelcome sexual advances, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, it can be considered workplace harassment. Similar to workplace discrimination, workplace harassment creates a hostile and abusive work environment.

What is wrongful termination?

This is termed wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, or wrongful dismissal. There are many scenarios that may be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit, including: Firing an employee out of retaliation. Discrimination.

What are some examples of misclassifications?

Some examples of misclassifications include: Misclassifying a worker as an independent contractor to not have to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission laws, which prevent employment discrimination.

What is FMLA in healthcare?

Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers must offer unpaid leave time to employees with a qualifying family or individual medical situation, such as leave for the birth or adoption of a baby or leave to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition.

What does it mean when an employee is forced to tolerate sexual harassment?

For example, an employee may be forced to tolerate sexual harassment from a manager as a condition of their continued employment.

Why do contractors file lawsuits?

Some other causes for lawsuits against contractors include: The contractor completes the job but unsatisfactorily; The contractor completes the job but the work violates safety standards; The contractor took advantage of the homeowner, such as by accepting a deposit or payment but then failing to complete the agreed upon work; or. ...

What is a contract for a contractor?

When hiring a contractor, such as for home repairs, most homeowners and contractors sign a legal contract that specifies the terms of the arrangement. This includes the work that is to be completed, the amount that is to be paid for the work completed, and a time frame that sets a deadline for the when is to be completed.

What is anticipatory breach?

Anticipatory Breach: An anticipatory breach is a breach that occurs when one party notifies the other that they will not be able to fulfill the terms of their contract. Anticipatory breach may also be referred to as anticipatory repudiation. Breach of contract claims generally allow a homeowner to recover damages such as a refund ...

What is a breach of contract lawsuit?

The most common are: Breach of Contract Claim: Breach of contract refers to one party failing to follow through with their side of a contract.

What is contract fraud?

Fraud Claim: contract fraud occurs when one party knowingly makes a false claim, intending to trick or deceive the other party into signing the contract. A homeowner may sue a contractor for fraud if they told the homeowner that the completed project would look one way, but the result is vastly different.

What are the different types of breach of contract?

There are four main types of breach under the breach of contract umbrella: Minor Breach: This occurs when a party fails to perform part of the contract, but does not violate the entire contract. This is sometimes referred to as an impartial breach;

What are design deficiencies?

Design deficiencies such as a roof not being built to code, which can result in water intrusion or inadequate support; Material deficiencies such as inferior sheetrock in damp areas; Construction deficiencies as a result of poor workmanship, such as plumbing and electrical issues; or.

What are the types of disputes that arise in the area of employment law?

Here are four types of disputes that often arise in the area of employment law: 1. Wrongful Termination Allegations.

What are the laws that protect workers and job applicants?

There are federal and state laws that protect workers and job applicants from: Discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment by managers, co-workers, or others because of a person’ s race, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, age, or disability.

What is retaliation for a disability?

Retaliation because an employee made a complaint about job discrimination or helped with a job discrimination probe or lawsuit. For employees to receive protection, most employers must meet certain size requirements.

What is wage dispute?

Wage Disputes. This type of lawsuit arises when an employer is accused of not properly compensating a worker for their time on the job. This can include not paying workers for overtime or earned tips or not allowing regular paid breaks. Employers must also pay workers minimum wages.

What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin?

The current Wisconsin and federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Wage disputes can also encompass worker misclassification, which occurs when an employer wrongly declares that a worker is an independent contractor instead of an employee.

Can an employer offer severance if you leave?

Employers may offer employees who leave their company certain types of compensation in return for signing a contract that includes non-disclosure or non-compete agreements. These types of severance agreements are often the subject of litigation. If you are a business offering such an agreement, or if you are an employee who has received one, speaking to an attorney will help you understand your rights established in the contract and address any issues that could arise.

Is Wisconsin an at will state?

It should be noted that Wisconsin is an at-will employment state, meaning that an employer may terminate any employee for any reason so long as there is no contract in place and so long as the employer does not violate certain discrimination and retaliation laws. 2. Wage Disputes.

Understanding Independent Contractor Agreements

  • Companies often need work done by a professional that may not require the full-time dedication of an employee. Independent contractors fill this role, yet the contractor client relationship is often fraught with discord, especially when expectations are not set clearly. That’s where independent contractor agreements come in. Independent contractor agreements are legal documents that d…
See more on priorilegal.com

Key Terms and Provisions

  • Although every independent contractor agreement will differ depending on the duration of the project, the scope of the work to be done, and many other factors, all independent contractor agreements must address certain issues through the following key terms and provisions: 1. Nature of Contract Services.This should define the general work expected and the expectations …
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Limitations of Independent Contractor Agreements

  • No matter how well you draft an independent contractor agreement, it will still be limited. If you are treating the contractor like an employee, such as by requiring work be done in a certain location during certain hours, giving extensive instructions on how work must be done, or defining by whom all work must be completed, an independent contractor agreement alone will not preve…
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FAQ

  • What if the IRS determines that an independent contractor agreement makes the contractor an e…
    If the IRS determines that an independent contractor is really an employee due to the terms of the independent contractor agreement or other circumstances, your company faces back taxes and serious fines. This is a legal situation that most likely requires the help of an experienced tax law…
  • Can an independent contractor agreement be exclusive?
    It can be, but just keep in mind that exclusivity is a factor common used to determine whether a contractor may really be an employee. Exclusivity provisions are only permitted for valid business reasons, and even then they are best made as minimally limiting as possible.
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Construction

Issues

  • Lawsuits are filed against contractors in many situations. In some cases, a contractor may fail to follow the agreed upon contract. Contractors may miss deadlines or fail to perform all of the work required.
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Types

  • There are a number of different types of legal claims that homeowners can file against a contractor if they decide to move forward in filing a lawsuit. Common legal claims filed by homeowners in civil court against contractors include breach of contract, defective construction work, and construction fraud. The types of damages available to homeowners may vary by state.
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Risks

  • A breach of contract is a legal term that is used when one party does not follow through with their side of a contract. In most contractor and homeowner relationships, a written contract is involved in the transaction. If a contractor does not follow or fulfill their contract obligations, the contractor may have breached the contract. A contractor may breach a contract if they miss deadlines, do …
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Effects

  • A breach of contract claim will typically allow a homeowner to recover damages. Damages may include a refund of payments made to the contractor, a refund of the difference in cost involved in hiring a new contractor to complete the project, the costs associated with the construction materials, and decreased market value of a house based on construction delays or incomplete …
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Summary

  • Fraud is a legal term that is used to describe misleading promises or misrepresentations made by a contractor to a homeowner. A homeowner may sue a contractor for fraud if they told a homeowner that the completed project would look a certain way, but in reality, the completed project had a different look altogether.
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Causes

  • Fraud can also occur if a contractor promises to only use certain, high-quality building materials, and then saves money by substituting those materials for less costly and lower quality materials. If a homeowner made a deposit to a contractor, and the contractor took the homeowners money without beginning the work, the homeowner may also file a claim of fraud against the contractor.
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Results

  • For the best outcome in your case, you should consider speaking with a property renovation lawyer who can help you file your case, discuss possible claims, and help you get awarded the correct amount in damages.
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