Are Court Reporters Independent Contractors?
I've considered this issue of whether or not a court reporter is an independent contractor or an employee for a number of years. Actually, the entire time I've been in business -- having started Todd Olivas & Associates, Inc. in 2003. I always thought I knew exactly what was and was not at stake in that regard. Well, during the past few months I have had to face the issue dead on and change a lot of my thinking. I will unveil what I have been going through personally and professionally on this blog as I write about my very own situation regarding the following issues:
- What issues relate to a reporter being classified as an independent contractor (IC).
- What are the pitfalls of misclassification.
- What is the government's role in this.
- What control factors determine who is an IC or employee.
- Can a court reporter receive unemployement benefits despite having been issued a 1099?
- What happens at a EDD appeal hearing.
- Should you hire an attorney?
- What is the ripple effect on the court reporting industry if court reporters are found to be employees and not ICs?
- What if you don't have an independent contractor agreement?
Stay tuned. This outta be interesting for all of my court reporter, and court reporting agency friends out there...
UPDATE 8/26/2015: Court reporters found to be independent contractors by California Appeals Board and EDD
Thursday, December 18, 2014