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Determining Independent Contractor or Employee Status 78
Published by Scrub n Shine on September 24, 2014
Information for this article has been obtained and used with permission from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry.
Workers’ Compensation – Determining Independent Contractor or Employee Status (DISCLAIMER)
Taken Directly From the DLI Website:
“Note: The following information is a general outline, subject to statutory change and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the advice of a private attorney. The terms “employer” and “worker” are used in the following information and are not to be given a literal meaning nor do they correspond to “employer” and “employee” as defined in the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. They are used as a manner of convenience to distinguish between one who pays to have a service performed and one who is paid to perform the service.”
Minnesota Statute 181.723 was Amended on September 15, 2012
The 2009 law was amended in 2012 to replace the independent contractor exemption certificate program with a two-year pilot project for registration of construction contractors.
Effective Jan. 1, 2009, determination of independent contractor status for many individuals who perform commercial or residential building construction or improvements in the public or private sector is governed by Minnesota Statutes 181.723. Under the amendments, as of Sept. 15, 2012, all contractors, including independent contractors and other types of business entities (such as limited liability companies — LLCs) that perform building construction or improvement services must register with the Department of Labor and Industry (or be exempted from registration) and meet the nine-factor independent contractor test.
The Nine‐Factor Test
The nine‐factor test has been used since 1996 to evaluate whether an individual is an independent contractor in the construction industry.
Under the Nine-Factor Test, an Independent Contractor:
(1) Maintains a separate business with the individual’s own office, equipment, materials and other facilities;
(2) Holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number or has filed business or self‐employment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service if the individual has performed services in the previous year;
(6) Receives compensation from the person for the services performed under the contract on a commission or per‐job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;
(9) The success or failure of the individual’s business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures
Business Entities Must Meet Nine-Factor Test and Other Criteria
Even if an individual performing building construction or improvement services is an owner or partial owner of a business entity (such as an LLC), the individual is considered an employee of the general or hiring contractor unless:
The Business Entity Meets the Nine-Factor Test, and:
Invoices Must Be Also Submitted in the Name of the Business Entity;
The Business Entity Must Also Be Registered with the Secretary of State;
And the Business Entity Must Also Be Registered with the Department of Labor and Industry
To Avoid Inaccurate Classification, Have a Signed Contract and Verify, Verify, Verify
General and/or Hiring Contractors Should Determine if Subcontractors are Required to Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Building construction contractors should be aware that a general contractor or intermediate contractor is liable for all of the workers’ compensation benefits due to the injured employee of a subcontractor if the subcontractor does not have workers’ compensation insurance. Therefore, contractors should determine whether a subcontractor might be required to have workers’ compensation insurance.
Independent Contractor Determination for Other Occupations
Workers’ Compensation Statute Does Not Contain a Definition of “Independent Contractor”
Individuals who are independent contractors with no employees are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance unless the entity contracting with the independent contractor elects to purchase insurance for that individual or the independent contractor chooses to purchase coverage for him or herself.
Degree of Control has Become Primary Factor
One party’s right to control over another person’s job duties is an indication that the first is an employer ( see Hunter v. Crawford Door Sales 501 N.W.2d 623 (1993).
To analyze the control factor in a particular situation, it may be helpful to ask the following questions, bearing in mind the factors that show evidence of control must be weighed against those that show an absence of control.
The answers are not meant to compel a particular conclusion but should be used merely as a guide.
Is the Worker Required to Comply with Instructions About When, Where and How the Work is to be Done?
The control factor tends to be present if the employer has the right to instruct.
Has the Worker Been Given any Specific Training by the Employer?
If so, this may be an indication the employer wants the services completed in a particular manner, giving rise to an employer-employee relationship.
Is There a Requirement That the Worker Must Perform the Work Personally and Not Hire a Substitute Without the Permission of the Employer?
The element of control may then be present, indicating the employer is interested in both the methods and the results.
Does the Worker Have a Continuing Relationship with the Employer or is the Contact Sporadic or Infrequent?
If the arrangement contemplates continuing or recurring work, this may indicate evidence of control.
Does the Worker Devote Full Time to the Employer or is the Worker Free to Work for Others During the Same Time Period?
If the worker is restricted from accepting other gainful employment, the control factor may be present.
Is the Worker Required to Make Reports to the Employer?
This indicates the worker must account for his or her actions and may be an element of control.
Does the Employer Pay for Business and Travel Expenses?
If so, it appears the employer may be concerned about controlling the worker’s business activities and expenses.
Is the Worker in a Position to Realize a Profit or Suffer a Loss as a Result of Doing this Job?
If not, he tends to appear more like an employee than an independent contractor.
Is the Worker the Master of His or Her Own Time?
If the employer sets the hours and days of work, this may be an indication of control.
In 1986, the Legislature Authorized the Commissioner of the Department of Labor & Industry to Create “Independent Contractor” Rules
In 1986, the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry was authorized by the Legislature to create rules to further define the term “independent contractor.”
Minnesota Rules Chapter 5224 Contains Guidelines for Asserting Independent Contractor or Employee Status for 34 Specific Occupations
The rules define the particular occupation and then list certain criteria that must be substantially met for the person in that occupation to be characterized as either an independent contractor or an employee.
The Occupations Identified Within the Rules Include:
artisans*, barbers, bookkeepers and accountants, bulk oil plant operators, collectors, consultants, domestic service, babysitters, industrial homeworkers, laborers*, commission salespeople or manufacturers representatives, traveling salespeople, house-to-house dealer salespeople, agent drivers, photographers’ models, professional persons, doctors of medicine — part time for industrial firms, real estate and securities salespeople, registered and practical nurses, unlicensed “nurses,” taxicab drivers, timber fellers, sawmill operators, truck owner-drivers*, waste materials haulers*, messenger/couriers*, variety entertainers, sports officials, jockeys and trainers, Minnesota Rules, Parts 5224.0020 through 5224.0312. Where the occupation is not listed the rules give general criteria and factors to consider, Minn. Rules Parts 5224.0302 through 5224.0340.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Factors in M.S. 181.723, Rather Than Minn. Rules (Parts 5224.0020 and 5224.0110) Govern the Independent Contractor Status of Artisans and Laborers. The factors in M.S. 176.043, rather than Minn. Rules, parts 5224.0290, 5224.0291 and 5224.0292, govern the independent contractor status of truck owner-drivers, waste materials haulers and messenger/couriers.
Minnesota Rules, Part 5224.0320 Provides Additional Criteria
If all of the criteria are not met, Minnesota Rules, part 5224.0320 provides additional general criteria to evaluate whether the person is an employee or an independent contractor.
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