Why did Senior Connect want to classify Runners as independent contractors? 

1. Do you think Senior Connect Runner should be classified as independent contractors or employees? Why?

You've decided the next step in your career requires additional education and you want to pursue a master's degree. You've done your research and found that while you can afford to return to school, if you try to complete the degree while working full-time, it will take you several years to finish it. You'd like to complete the degree program more quickly, so next month you plan to quit your full-time job so that you can enter graduate school. You've estimated costs and expenses, and if you work part-time hours, you will be able to manage.

You have strong writing skills and have decided to pursue part-time work as a technical writer. As you started talking to friends about your plans, you learned there are many companies that will hire you as a freelancer to complete writing projects such as product use manuals. However, you have also been offered a job working part-time at a company that is near the campus where you will be going to school.

You are excited that you have more than one option for part-time work, but now you need to decide. At first you thought freelance work was the way to go. You like the freedom of working when you want from your apartment. However, the company that offered you the part-time job has offered you flexibility in your hours and said you can also work from home anytime you want.

As you begin to consider which option is better, you look over a detailed letter that the company sent you about the part-time position. You will be expected to work around 20 hours per week, but occasionally there may be special projects where you need to work more hours. The letter notes that if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you are eligible for overtime pay. The company also does offer some employee benefits programs that you are eligible to participate in.

In addition to any benefits required by law such as worker's compensation insurance, there are other benefits including a pro-rated amount of paid time off and eligibility to participate in the company wellness program. While you are not eligible to participate in the company's health-care insurance program, the letter notes that if you later increase your hours to more than 30 per week, you will become eligible. Finally, after six months you can participate in the company's 401(k) retirement savings plan.

These extra benefits sound great, however, you are concerned about committing to the company. You aren't sure how heavy of workload your master's degree program will present to you and you like the flexibility the freelance work could provide you. You know your savings can hold you over if you need to take off some time from working at any point. At the same time, you know that there is no guarantee that the freelance work will be available when you need it.

You have made a lot of important decisions over the last month as you get ready to quit your job to return to school. You knew you would need to work some, and while you are glad you have options, the decision on part-time or freelance work is a more complicated decision than you thought.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

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