{"id":9133,"date":"2022-02-24T13:27:17","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T13:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/procomservices.com\/what-is-contractor-classification\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T18:49:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T18:49:23","slug":"what-is-contractor-classification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/procomservices.com\/en-ca\/insights\/what-is-contractor-classification\/","title":{"rendered":"Contractor classification explained"},"content":{"rendered":"Contractor classification refers to the process whereby an organization evaluates the nature of the relationship between itself and a contingent worker to determine the proper means to engage that worker; either as a temporary employee of the organization or as an Independent Contractor. \n\n\n

Contractor classification and the contingent workforce explained<\/strong> <\/h1>\nContingent worker classification is a concern for all businesses that work with contract workers. If done incorrectly, it can result in a misclassification issue which can have financial consequences and a potentially negative impact on your organization\u2019s brand.    \n\nWhile contractor classification has always played an important role in contingent workforce management, the increasing reliance on the contingent workforce makes it more critical than ever for companies to be vigilant in the way they classify their contingent talent. \n\nAccording to a recent survey<\/a>, more than two-thirds of hiring managers reported they will either maintain or increase their use of contract workers in 2022. If your organization also uses contingent workers, the information below will provide a framework for how to correctly classify this worker type.  \n

Why is contractor classification so important? <\/strong> <\/h3>\nThe issue and importance of worker classification arises from the concern that organizations may be attempting to avoid tax obligations by misclassifying workers \u2013 either accidentally or on purpose. \n\nMisclassification of workers happens when tax authorities and\/or regulatory bodies deem one or more of an organization\u2019s contract workers as employees as opposed to Independent Contractors.  \n\nManaging contingent workers can be a challenge, and contractor classification is one of the biggest risks facing organizations that do so. \n\nYet, up to 30 percent<\/a> of organizations misclassify their contingent talent.\n

How is contractor classification performed<\/strong>? <\/strong> <\/h3>\nIt should begin with a question. The contractor classification process technically begins during the initial conversation that an organization has with a contingent worker that is being considered for an opportunity.  \n\nIt\u2019s during this conversation that you should ask a worker to share (declare) their preferred work status when working on contract, rather than having you dictate your<\/i> preferred status to them.  \n\nThere are of course exceptions to this rule, and one of the main ones is when an organization has a policy that prohibits the use of Independent Contractors. While a policy like this might limit misclassification risk, it can also limit the pool of talent you can draw from.\n

Contractor classification must be supported by facts<\/strong><\/h3>\nContractor classification doesn\u2019t stop upon the declaration made by the contingent worker, rather the process continues to either substantiate or disprove the worker\u2019s preferred status. \n\nProper status determination requires information about the contractor and information about the proposed work assignment. This Information is typically collected through a combination of technology (i.e. surveys, tools) and through personal interaction with the contingent worker. \n\nWhile automated tools do play a critical role in this process, they should be balanced with personal interaction. This is particularly the case with Independent Contractor questionnaires, as many contractors have learned how to respond to classification questions to support their desired status.  \n\nAfter the required information is collected, then it’s time to perform the status determination.\n

How to ensure proper status determination when classifying workers<\/strong><\/h3>\nUnderstanding the importance of worker classification and doing it properly are two different things. Given variances in local and federal regulations, it is important to also think about where the status determination is being made and the laws or climate of the region that you are evaluating in.  \n\n1. The IRS has a methodology for evaluating Independent Contractor or Employee\n\n2. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has its economic realities test.\n\n3. The Courts tend to rely on the common law approach.\n\n4. The Canada Revenue Agency has its own evaluation for workers in Canada.\n

The ABC test<\/strong> <\/h3>\nIn recent years, states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey and California have adopted a different variation of evaluation called the ABC test, which itself starts with the presumption that the contractor is an employee unless it can be demonstrated that:\n\nA. The contractor is free from control regarding performance of the service.\n\nB. The service is outside the usual course of your business or is performed outside of your places of business. \n\nC. The contractor is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business. \n\nIf each of these conditions is true, it\u2019s very likely that a person is a contractor. That said, this evaluation is not foolproof for every situation.  \n\nContractor classification can be something of a balancing act, and to ensure compliance, employers should audit their processes, documentation and internal rules with the latest legislation and classification systems.     \n

The role of a staffing firm in contractor classification<\/strong><\/h3>\nDue to the complexity of worker classification laws, many organizations that employ a blend of regular employees and contingent workers engage a third-party staffing agency to source talent and ensure accurate classification.  \n\nAn accomplished contingent workforce management firm understands federal and local regulations, as well as the worker role traits that distinguish regular employees from contingent workers. \n

Operating a contingent workforce is a risky but rewarding business<\/strong> <\/h3>\nProper classification isn\u2019t the only risk facing organizations that operate a blended or contingent workforce, and it\u2019s important to identify and mitigate misclassification and other contingent workforce risks before they happen. \n\nDownload your copy of a Checklist for Continent Worker Risk today:\n\n\nDownload Checklist\n<\/a>\n\n\n