Leased workforces can range from one to several hundred employees. Independent Contractors Individuals with particular skills can contract with an employer for work like computer programming, engineering, medical specialties, art, advertising, marketing, and training. Arrangements can include a fee for a specified project or a commitment for a number of days of service. The employer does not have to deal with taxes and benefits because independent contractors are not employees. See Chapter 4 and Appendix A for further discussion of IRS rules.
Many employees do word processing, computer work, craft work, or assembly at home.
The employer may or may not provide materials and does not have to provide work space. Home-based workers can choose their own hours, interrupt work for child care and other tasks, and take time out for any personal reason. They may be employed full time on a long-term basis, but they commonly work for one employer. Home-based contingent workers are different from salaried employees who telecommute, that is, do some of their work at home by computer or telephone. Interns Many professions, such as medicine, social work, and psychology, require that students complete a period of supervised work experience.