Agency Investigating Independent Contractors Is Using ICs
Jay Fitzgerald reports that the Massachusetts agency that investigates the improper use of independent contractors, does itself use independent contractors.
Of course it's possible they use the ICs correctly. Although apparently they are being used to replace employees who were laid off to save the state money, and that's usually a big factor in determining the proper use of ICs.
Also, apparently Mass. has a special task force to dig out "employer fraud." In California it's the "Underground Workforce Task Force."
The fact that the Mass. equivalent to our EDD uses ICs points out that sometimes there is a legitimate need for more flexibility in the way a company or a state finds and pays people to perform services.
Ultimately, stifling the use of independent contractors stifles entrepreneurship. Employees do not grow into employers, ICs grow into employers. Which is not to say there aren't abuses. But the re-classification of workers from IC to employee status has become a quick fix revenue collecting scheme, which in the long run is having companies run for cover to states that aren't on that particular bandwagon.
