What are the differences between independent contractors and employees?

In Virginia, independent contractors and employees have distinct differences. An independent contractor is a person who is self-employed and is hired to complete a specific job or task. An independent contractor is not an employee of the company they are working with, so they do not have the same rights as employees. In contrast, an employee is a person that is hired as part of a company’s workforce, either part-time or full-time, and is an employer-employee relationship. This means that an employer must comply with the Wage and Hour Law and must pay their employees for the number of hours they work, provide overtime pay, paid holidays and vacations, and other benefits. The main difference between independent contractors and employees is that independent contractors are not protected by many of the labor laws and regulations that protect employees. This means they can work whatever hours they like, and are not eligible for overtime pay or certain employee benefits. Employees, on the other hand, are protected by labor laws and regulations. This means that employers must comply with the Wage and Hour Law, which sets forth minimum wages and overtime pay requirements. Employees also have the right to certain benefits and protections, such as the right to unionize and the right to receive workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job. To summarize, independent contractors are not protected by many of the labor laws and regulations that protect employees, and are not eligible for overtime pay or certain employee benefits. Employees, however, are protected by labor laws and regulations, including the Wage and Hour Law, which provides for minimum wages and overtime pay.

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