Read It And Weep

It's all here. This is all you need to know about Independent Contractors and whether or not you are breaking the law or are the victim of lawbreakers:

http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Workplace/independent_contractor_advisory.pdf

DO THE RIGHT THING AND PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES ACCORDINGLY. PAY THE STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES, AS WELL. PAY INTO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. PAY INTO WORKER'S COMPENSATION. PAY YOUR SHARE OF THE NEW HEALTH CARE LAW. STOP LINING YOUR POCKETS WITH THE SWEAT OF YOUR CHAUFFEURS!

The Underground Economy In Massachusetts

A few livery/limousine companies in Massachusetts are having a field day for themselves abusing their chauffeurs. How many of these companies call their chauffeurs "Independent Contractors"? Does the chauffeur own the car or do you? Does the chauffeur pay for gas or repairs or do you? Can the chauffeur driving your car work for another company while working for you? Can that chauffeur come and go as they please while driving your car? Can your chauffeurs turn down work without suffering repercussions or do you punish that person by withholding work for a few days? Do you schedule your Chauffeurs the day before for the next day? I have news for you so-called business owners. You're a bunch of criminals. You skirt the tax laws of Massachusetts and the federal government. You don't pay overtime or even minimum wage if your chauffeurs are in the car for 12-15 hours a day for $100.00 before taxes. How many of your chauffeurs work more than 40 hours a week? MOST OF THEM. If they are in your car, they are working - whether they are sitting at the airport waiting for their next job or driving to a clients home to pick up. Why don't you business owners, especially the ones who are leaders in the New England Livery Association, do the right thing and pay your chauffeurs according to both the laws of the state of Massachusetts and the United States of America. These people are NOT Independent Contractors, they are what is commonly referred to as EMPLOYEES. You can't keep this up forever. We chauffeurs are going to band together and file suit against those of you who are breaking the law. Also, if your office personnel are still working "under the table", you may want to rethink that policy, as well.