Independent Contractor Or Employee?
Does the company you work with consider you an independent contractor as opposed to an employee? As a result of the costs associated with treating an individual as an employee, companies have a perverse incentive to classify you as an independent contractor. While this may be to the company’s benefit, it is almost always is to the disadvantage of the misclassified worker. Independent contractor misclassification can cause a misclassified individual significant monetary damage, including the lack of unemployment and workers’ compensation coverage, being forced to pay the employer share of payroll tax contributions, and lost overtime wages. Luckily, Massachusetts has one of the most stringent independent contractor laws in the country.
If you work in Massachusetts, in order for you to be properly classified as an independent contractor, the company that you perform services for must establish:
- That you are free from control in the performance of your services;
- That the service you provide is different from the service that the company provides; and
- That you essentially run a business through which you can provide the service in question to any individual or company that wishes to receive your service.
If the company that considers you an independent contractor cannot establish ALL three of the above requirements, you are entitled to be treated as an employee.
For a more detailed explanation of the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has published a detailed advisory on the subject. It can be found here: http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/workplace/independent-contractor-advisory.pdf
Moral of the story: Just because a company tells you that you’re an independent contractor, it does not mean that you actually are. Be wary of this relationship, and seek legal advice to ensure that you are being properly classified.
Attorney Adam Shafran is a top rated Boston, Massachusetts Independent Contractor Misclassification lawyer serving clients across Massachusetts including the local communities of Boston, Brockton, Brookline, Cambridge, Dedham, Fall River, Lowell, Lynn, Needham, Newton, Quincy, Springfield, Waltham, Worcester and more. Call Attorney Shafran to discuss your independent contractor misclassification case.

Understanding the Rights of Domestic Workers in Massachusetts
Domestic workers play a vital role in households across Massachusetts, providing essential care and support for families and individuals. However, they are often subject to
Employee Prevails In Unpaid Commission Case
The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has awarded a former employee of Grove Services, Inc. $325,556 in unpaid commissions. United States District

Massachusetts Prevailing Wage: What You Need to Know
The term “prevailing wage” refers to the minimum hourly wage rate that must be paid to workers on public works projects in Massachusetts. The prevailing