Independent Contractors Outside of the US: Are you Setting Yourself Up?
Hiring workers as independent contractors can help employers save cost, especially when operating abroad. However, this strategy can also expose employers to serious risks. Depending on the country, misclassification of the employment status can result in severe financial penalties for the company and even criminal liabilities for the executives. This session highlights these risks in some major foreign jurisdictions where U.S. employers tend to conduct business and analyze the tests used in different countries to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or a de facto employee. We will also explore some alternatives to the traditional employment and independent contractor relationships.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the tests used to classify employees in various jurisdictions.
- Recognizing the potential liabilities and penalties for misclassification.
- Identifying alternatives to traditional employment relationships.
- Establishing best hiring practices internationally.
In-person session offerings are on a first-come, first-served basis.
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William David Wright
William D. Wight is a partner in the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. offices and is the chair of the firm's International Employment Practice Group. He counsels employers on various global employment, compensation and benefit issues related to employees abroad, as well as foreign nationals working in the U.S. and the employment of the U.S. permanent residents and citizens abroad. Bill has worked with compliance issues related to hiring, retention and separation of employees in a multitude of jurisdictions. His experience with global employment issues has helped him assist our clients with international operations on all sevel continents including Antarctica. Bill has assisted clients with the implementation of strategic planning and policy development with respect to global HR practices and policies. He has also assisted clients with the management of litigation and employment controversy matters in numerous international jurisdictions. Bill has also counseled clients based outside the United States with the special considerations that are required when complying with U.S. employment and employee benefit rules and regulations. Bill is regularly involved with resolving questions related to privacy and data protection issues.