New Rule Modifies Federal Statute’s Definitions of “Employee” and “Independent Contractor”

May 2024 The employer/employee relationship can be quite complicated from a legal point of view, with employers having a range of obligations to their employees. Some of these obligations may vary based on laws in an employer’s state, county or city, while others apply nationwide under federal law. Employers’ duties typically include paying a minimum wage and overtime compensation, maintaining minimum safety standards and preventing workplace discrimination and harassment based on certain factors like race or disability. These obligations only apply to workers who meet the legal definition of “employee.” Workers not meeting this definition are known as “independent contractors.” The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new rule in early 2024 that revises the definition of “employee” under some aspects of federal law. This could have a significant impact on employers.  View the full article here.