Webinar to Explain Difference Between Independent Contractors, Employees

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ROGERS, Ark. — Registration is open for a Nov. 18 webinar to help businesses understand the legal differences between hiring independent contractors and employees and understand the case in which the Fair Labor Standards Act applies.

The University of Arkansas Global Campus in Rogers and the law firm of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus P.C. will offer “Independent Contractor or Employee? Get Your Ducks in a Row” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. The cost is $40 and participants can register online.

Webinar participants can earn one hour of recertification credit from the Human Resource Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.

The event is part of a webinar series that provides the latest information about labor and employment issues and regulations. Visit the website of the Global Campus in Rogers for more information about this series and other workforce development classes and workshops.

The Department of Labor continues its scrutiny of employers’ activities, recently issuing guidance stating that most workers are not independent contractors, but rather are employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to businesses,” said Judith Tavano, director of professional development programs at the Global Campus. “This webinar will provide businesses with the information they need to avoid the penalties that could result from misclassifying workers.”

The misclassification of employees as independent contractors exposes employers to potential liability, Department of Labor investigations, wage and hour lawsuits, and possibly back-pay for misclassified employees.

Joe Ramsey, an attorney from Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, will explore the following topics in the webinar:

• Reinvigorated efforts by the Department of Labor to ensure that workers are properly classified, including an administrator’s interpretation issued on July 15
• How to make a determination about whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee by following the “economic realities factors”
• Steps to take if an independent contractor is actually an employee
• The consequences of misclassification

The Global Campus in Rogers supports workforce development education, including professional development classes and workshops and computer and technology training. Contact Judith Tavano, director of professional development programs, at jtavano@uark.edu or 855-402-3300 to discuss learning opportunities or customized training options.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online, distance and workforce development education. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.