Defining your employment status at work is an important step in expressing what you are worth and what benefits you are entitled to in your unique role at the company.
It is important to know what you will be getting in this new position and what you deserve based on the type of working relationship you have with your employer.
What are the 3 basic employment rights for a worker?
You are owed certain benefits and legal protections depending on where you fall under your employment status. There are typically 3 different types of employment statuses: a worker, an employee, or self-employed.
What kinds of perks are granted to you depending on your level of employment? This is what we’ll be exploring in this piece. Once a working relationship is clearly established, whether through a written or verbal contract, that’s when the real work can begin.
It’s important for the company hiring people to be aware of the type of contract that will best serve the company’s needs. Do you need short term or long term commitment? Can you afford to hire full-time employees considering all of the benefits they are entitled to? Is it best to hire someone who is an independent contractor?
As an employee, it’s also imperative to ask yourself the same type of questions. Do your research. What would you ultimately like to get out of this working relationship? Do you need a quick way to make money, flexible hours, or are you planning to start a family in the next few years and you’re searching for more stability and benefits that will serve your entire family’s needs?
Ask yourself where you want to be in five years and this will illuminate the type of contract that will benefit you best long term considering your lifestyle, core values, and career goals.
Workers are entitled to the following benefits
Workers have the most loosely defined ties to a company they work for.
Usually, workers have a specified arrangement with their boss to perform services. Unfortunately, they are obligated to show up for work when they don’t want to. Paid time off and paid vacations are typically not part of the perks of a gig economy worker.
One other limitation workers face is legally they are not allowed to subcontract their responsibilities to others on the job. Typically these sorts of jobs include seasonal work, freelance contracts, and jobs offered through a temp agency. If you’re searching for flexibility on the job, a worker status with a short contract might be the best option.
What kinds of benefits are workers entitled to under contract if there is one?
By law, companies are required to pay workers the minimum wage and statutory minimum holiday pay. Workers also legally can’t work beyond 48 hours a week unless they specifically request overtime. By law, if workers are part-time they cannot be treated differently or unfairly compared to full-time employees.
Workers are…