More and more companies have cut labor costs by misclassifying their employees as independent contractors. This type of arrangement absolves employers from having to provide basic protections such as workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and health care. Too often, workers don’t know what is at risk when they become independent contractors.
Know your rights – independent contractors. (SB 1490 – Padilla). This bill would require employers to provide information to their independent contractors about what it means to be an independent contractor and what to do if they think they are misclassified.
Joint liability for misclassification of independent contractors. (SB 1583 – Corbett). A cottage industry of consultants has burgeoned to advise employers on how to skirt the law and force their employees into independent contractor status. These consultants should be held liable for teaching employers how to misclassify their employees and SB 1583 would do so.
Safety and security for California telephone customers. (AB 2232 – De La Torre). Currently, employees of telephone companies must complete a background check before entering the premises of a customer. Yet, independent contractors and employees of subcontractors don’t have to complete the same background check. AB 2232 would simply require an equivalent background check for all workers who enter customer premises.
Contacts
- Angie Wei, Legislative Director (Workers' Compensation)
- Caitlin Vega, Legislative Advocate (Wage and Hour, Public Employees, Low Wage Worker Issues, Underground Economy, Right to Organize, Immigration)
- Jeremy Smith, Legislative Advocate (Family Leave, Worker Health and Safety, Offshoring, Election Reform, Labor Education, Green Jobs, Toxics in the Workplace)
- Emily Clayton, Policy Coordinator (Healthcare)
- Shawna Manning, Legislative Office Manager