What is the difference between an independent contractor and an employee?

The difference between an independent contractor and an employee is an important distinction to understand when it comes to labor law in Washington. An independent contractor is a person or business that provides services to another person or business in exchange for payment. Independent contractors are typically in business for themselves and are not employees of the businesses that hire them - meaning they don’t receive benefits such as health insurance, vacation, or sick days from their employers. On the other hand, an employee is a person hired by an employer to perform a service in exchange for pay. Employees have more legal protections than independent contractors, including the right to overtime pay, workers’ compensation benefits, and the right to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Additionally, employees have the right to bargain collectively with their employers, something independent contractors are not legally able to do. It is essential to understand the difference between an independent contractor and an employee in order to comply with labor laws in Washington.

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What is the difference between an independent contractor and an employee?

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