As businesses increasingly mine the gold of the gig economy, it’s more important than ever for organizations to stay compliant with government regulations. Hiring contractors is often an attractive option for companies since it can help reduce labor costs and talent acquisition timelines. However, understanding the applicable rules and regulations related to contractor hiring is essential in order to protect both parties involved. This blog will discuss five ways employers can remain compliant when bringing on contract workers so that they are able to grow their business, treat workers fairly, and avoid costly penalties.
Understand the Differences between an Employee and a Contractor
As an organization, it is crucial to understand the differences between an employee and a contractor. While both may do work for or provide services to your business, the nature of the relationship is distinct, and treating each category of worker appropriately is essential.
The primary divergence between employees and contractors lies in the legal definition of each classification. Actually, “employee” and “independent contractor” are terms with specific meanings that have been established by law. The IRS states that worker classification matters because “it determines if an employer must withhold income taxes and pay Social Security, Medicare taxes and unemployment tax on wages paid to an employee. Businesses normally do not have to withhold or pay any taxes on payments to independent contractors.”
Understanding the differences between these two types of workers is crucial to ensure that your organization is following legal and ethical practices. Misclassifying a worker can result in legal and financial consequences for your organization.
Thoroughly Check Potential Contractors’ Backgrounds
When it comes to hiring contractors, it’s important to do your due diligence and thoroughly check their backgrounds. Not only do you want to ensure that they have the necessary qualifications and certifications to perform the job, but you also want to make sure that they are compliant with local, state, and federal laws.
Taking the time to research and verify a contractor’s background can save you a lot of headaches and potentially expensive legal issues down the road. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or proof of their qualifications – a reputable contractor will have no problem providing this information. When you hire through a platform like GreenLight, background checks are easily integrated because of our partnership with Checkr.
Have Proper Documentation in Place
In every business transaction, it’s essential to have proper documentation in place. Creating contracts that outline the payment terms, deliverables, and roles ensures that everyone involved understands their obligations and responsibilities. This not only protects you from possible legal issues but also keeps everyone on the same page, avoiding misunderstandings that could lead to conflicts.
Some of the tasks a great payroll service provider can help you automate are document collection and the generation of customizable contracts. Having clear contracts can also help establish trust with your clients or partners, making it easier to maintain a healthy business relationship. Remember that good documentation is one key to avoiding stressful and costly problems down the road. So, take the time to create comprehensive contracts that will protect your business interests and provide clarity for all parties involved.
Establish Clear Policies & Procedures
Clear policies and procedures are essential for any successful organization. This is especially true when it comes to managing contractors. It’s important to ensure that everyone is aware of all policies and agreements, such as non-competition agreements, intellectual property usage, and confidentiality clauses. By doing so, your organization can avoid unnecessary legal disputes and protect its assets. Creating these policies and procedures can be time-consuming, but it’s a worthwhile investment in the long run. Not only do you reduce potential risks, but you also build a culture of transparency and accountability. So take the time to establish clear policies and procedures, and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Stay Up-to-Date on Regulatory Changes
In today’s constantly evolving business landscape, staying on top of regulatory changes is vital to success. For utilizing contractors, this means monitoring any updates related to federal and state regulations to ensure continued compliance. It’s imperative to stay up-to-date on changes as they can impact how workers are classified. When you hire through GreenLight, our AI-driven classification engine ensures compliance by doing the difficult work of staying up-to-date on regulatory changes for worker classification so you don’t have to.
Keep in mind, compliance isn’t just about avoiding getting in trouble with the law. Compliance is also about making your workers feel safe, valued, and cared for. That’s exactly what GreenLight created our global payroll platform for. We’re a global EOR ready to make sure your people are paid safely and on time as you hire contractors with ease. Schedule a demo today so you can see how our platform integrates directly into your existing workflow.
