Understanding Employment Classification: Independent Contractor vs. Employee (WEBINAR)

Any business owner who hires workers should be able to distinguish between independent contractors and employees, thoroughly understand their duties as an employer, and be aware of the additional legal protections afforded to employees. This insightful webinar will focus on Massachusetts and federal employee classification laws and regulations and increase your knowledge of how to classify workers.

Course Overview:

This webinar will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework surrounding the classification of workers as independent contractors or employees. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the following key areas:

• • Legal Requirements: Explore the legal obligations imposed on employers and the rights afforded to employees under Massachusetts law, including minimum wage, overtime pay, and workplace protections.
  • Reasons for Classification: Explore the motivations behind businesses preferring to hire independent contractors and the implications for both employers and workers.
  • The Three-Part Test: Learn about the three-pronged test used in Massachusetts to determine whether a worker qualifies as an independent contractor, focusing on factors such as control, nature of the work, and trade independence.
  • Federal Standards: Learn about the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines for distinguishing between independent contractors and employees, including the famous “twenty-point test.”
  • Penalties for Misclassification: Become aware of the potential consequences of misclassifying workers, including criminal enforcement, civil penalties, and lawsuits.

Who Should Attend:

• • Business Owners
  • Human Resources Professionals
  • Independent Contractors
  • Anyone interested in understanding employment classification laws and regulations

Key Takeaways:

By the end of this webinar, participants will have a clear understanding of the criteria used to differentiate between independent contractors and employees, along with practical strategies for ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Registration is required to attend this webinar. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants prior to the webinar.

This informative webinar is offered at no cost and is being sponsored in partnership with Northeast Legal Aid, the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD). Maria Di Stefano, Northeast Regional Director, will provide an update on MOBD resources.

Presenter

Velinda Peralta Bolduc, Esq.

Velinda Bolduc is a dedicated legal professional with a passion for community empowerment and economic equity. Presently serving as a Staff Attorney at Northeast Legal Aid (NLA) in their Community Development and Entrepreneurship Unit, as well as the Low-Income Taxpayer Unit, Velinda provides invaluable legal services to individuals and organizations in need, all at no cost. Since joining NLA in September 2023, Velinda has been instrumental in offering legal guidance and support to those seeking to navigate complex legal landscapes.
Velinda holds a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Suffolk Law University, graduating in May 2023. Additionally, Velinda has obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Sawyer Business School, complementing their legal expertise with a comprehensive understanding of business principles.
During Velinda's tenure as a law student, they served as an SJC Rule 3:03 student attorney in the Transactional Legal Clinic at Suffolk Law. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, Velinda represented various organizations and businesses in the Boston area, focusing on fostering community empowerment and promoting economic equity. This experience honed Velinda's skills in transactional law and further fueled their commitment to social justice.
Velinda is bilingual in English and Spanish, allowing them to effectively communicate and serve a diverse range of clients. With a dedication to justice and equity, Velinda is committed to ensuring that all individuals and organizations have access to the legal resources they need to thrive.

Presenter

Jenny M. Eldred, Esq.

Jenny M. Eldred joined Northeast Legal Aid, Inc (NLA) as a Staff Attorney in September 2023, where she provides free transactional legal assistance and compliance advising to local entrepreneurs while working in the Community Development and Entrepreneurship Unit. She also provides free legal assistance to individual taxpayers with income tax controversies in NLA’s Low-Income Taxpayer Unit. Jenny is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and in U.S. Tax Court.
Jenny is passionate about increasing the accessibility of quality business transactional and compliance advice to help new and existing local small businesses thrive. As a part of her work at NLA, she also teaches free legal education trainings for entrepreneurs. Jenny works out of NLA’s downtown Lynn location.
Jenny holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law with a concentration in Risk Management & Compliance. While in law school, Jenny was an SJC Rule 3:03 student attorney in the Civil Litigation Clinic and the Compliance Policy Clinic. She also holds a B.S. in Economics from Central Michigan University.