Understanding Employment Classification: Independent Contractor vs Employee (WEBINAR)

Are you hiring workers for your business?

Join business attorneys for this informative webinar focused on Massachusetts and federal employee classification laws and regulations. This session will provide guidance on distinguishing between independent contractors and employees, understanding employer responsibilities, and recognizing the legal protections afforded to employees.

Topics Covered:

· Independent Contractors vs. Employees: Why Classification Matters

· Massachusetts Worker Classification Law: Employer Duties and Employee Protections (minimum wage, overtime, workplace protections)

· Why Businesses Use Independent Contractors, and the Legal Implications

· The Massachusetts Three-Part Test for Independent Contractor Status

· Federal Standards: IRS and U.S. Department of Labor (FLSA) guidelines for worker classification

· Penalties for Worker Misclassification

Who Should Attend:

· Small Business Owners and Employers

· Human Resources Professionals

· Entrepreneurs and Start-up Founders

· Independent Contractors

· Business Consultants and others interested in employment law compliance

Facilitators: Velinda Peralta Bolduc, Jenny Eldred

This informative workshop is offered at no cost and is being sponsored in partnership with the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD).

Presenter

Velinda Peralta Bolduc, Esq.

Velinda Peralta Bolduc is a dedicated legal professional with a passion for community empowerment and economic equity. Since joining Northeast Legal Aid in September 2023, Velinda has served as a Staff Attorney in the NLA Community Development and Entrepreneurship unit and in the NLA Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. In her work with NLA, Velinda serves entrepreneurs and organizations without the means to hire private counsel, increasing access to transactional legal services in Northeastern Massachusetts.
Velinda holds a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and an MBA from Sawyer Business School. While at Suffolk Law, Velinda was a student attorney in Suffolk’s Transactional Legal Clinic. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, Velinda represented local organizations and small businesses in transactional legal matters and developed her passion for community empowerment and economic equity.
Velinda is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Presenter

Jenny M. Eldred, Esq.

Jenny Eldred joined Northeast Legal Aid as a Staff Attorney in September 2023, where she provides free transactional legal assistance and compliance advising to local entrepreneurs through her role in the Community Development and Entrepreneurship unit. She is also works part-time in the NLA Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, where she and the LITC team help individuals with state and federal income tax issues and teach free taxpayer education workshops in the local community.
In her work, Jenny is passionate about increasing the accessibility of transactional legal services and compliance advice for local small businesses. She also enjoys teaching practical legal workshops to empower entrepreneurs with the tools they need to prevent avoidable, costly mistakes.
Jenny holds a J.D. from Boston University with a concentration in Risk Management & Compliance. While in law school, Jenny was active in both the BU Civil Litigation Clinic with Greater Boston Legal Services and the BU Compliance Policy Clinic. She also holds a B.S. in Economics.