{"id":9163,"date":"2017-08-28T08:00:58","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T08:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asmlawyers.com\/?p=9163"},"modified":"2021-12-21T22:11:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-21T22:11:00","slug":"california-workers-need-know-employee-misclassification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asmlawyers.com\/california-workers-need-know-employee-misclassification\/","title":{"rendered":"What California Workers Need to Know About Employee Misclassification"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"What-California-Workers-Need-to-Know-About-Employee-Misclassification.jpgWhen you believe you\u2019re being cheated of benefits at work, such as not being paid properly or being denied pay for overtime, meals and rest breaks, you can easily suffer financially as well as become discouraged on your job. Sometimes, the reason for these injustices is because workers have been misclassified by their employers, meaning these workers are considered as independent contractors, rather than employees. Unfortunately, often workers don\u2019t even realize this has occurred, or if they do, they don\u2019t know how to resolve the problem. Here\u2019s what you need to know about employee misclassification and how a California attorney can help you.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Misclassification?<\/b><\/p>\n

Misclassification, also known as employee misclassification, is the practice of employers not classifying their workers as employees but as independent contractors. This is done so employers can get out of having to pay unemployment benefits, besides other taxes on their workers. Employers also misclassify workers to avoid having to provide unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Employee Misclassification Hurts Workers, Honest Employers and the Economy<\/b><\/p>\n

Employee misclassification is one of the worst issues that affect workers. In addition to workers being deprived of important entitlements, such as the minimum wage, pay for overtime and other benefits, they\u2019re also denied medical leave and a safe workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Misclassification also hurts ethical employers and companies that represent their workers correctly and play by the rules. Consider how it can take business away from them and cause them to have to pay more than their fair share.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, misclassification compromises the entire economy. It can cause financial losses to both the federal government and state governments because of reduced funds for unemployment insurance and workers\u2019 compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exempt vs. Nonexempt Status<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to know the difference between an exempt and nonexempt status. Basically, exempt employees are paid a salary that is intended for fully covering all the hours they work each week. In other words, employees are not compensated based on how many hours they work and don\u2019t receive overtime pay.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, nonexempt employees are generally paid by the hour. These employees receive overtime pay, according to the appropriate overtime rules.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Determines an Independent Worker vs. an Employee?<\/b><\/p>\n

The main test to determine whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor in California is whether or not the principal has the authority to control and direct how work is done. The IRS has developed a checklist of 20 <\/span>factors<\/span><\/a>, which are listed on their 4600 IRS manual. For example, the first factor, entitled \u201cPROFIT OR LOSS\u201d, asks if a worker is able to profit or suffer a loss from the work performed. <\/span><\/p>\n

What California Workers Can Do <\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s critical you be aware of your rights as a worker. <\/span><\/p>\n