PS-02.A.23 - Employees and Independent Contractors

4.1.1 An employee is required to comply with the employer's instructions about when, where, and how to perform the assigned work. An independent contractor is not instructed as to how to achieve the desired result of the services.

4.1.2 An employee generally receives training to perform services in a certain manner. An independent contractor ordinarily uses methods not defined by the university and receives no training from the university receiving the services.

4.1.3 An employee's services are an integral part of the operations of the university. An independent contractor's services can usually stand alone and are not integrated into campus operations.

4.1.4 An employee has limited control over the hiring, supervising, payment, and termination of workers, whereas an independent contractor can hire, supervise, pay, and fire workers without permission or knowledge of the university.

4.1.5 An employee is hired in accordance with institutional policy and under HR personnel procedures. An independent contractor is retained to provide services for the university through regular contracting procedures.

4.1.6 An employee is hired to fill a vacant position with certain duties as specified in a job description. An independent contractor is subject to a fixed and limited duration contract to provide specific services.

4.1.7 The refusal of an employment offer on the part of an employee or applicant for employment may impact future employment offers to that individual. An independent contractor may reject a contract opportunity without affecting opportunities for future contracts.

4.1.8 An employee may be eligible or ineligible for university benefits, depending on employment status. An independent contractor is responsible for private insurance arrangements and is never eligible for any university benefits.

4.1.9 An employee is listed as an employee for workers' compensation insurance. An independent contractor is responsible for providing his or her own workers' compensation insurance.

4.1.10 An employee normally has a continuing relationship with the university, whereas an independent contractor has a relationship that ends when the services are completed.

4.1.11 An employee has set hours of work established by the university. An independent contractor generally has no set hours of work.

4.1.12 An employee is to devote the budgeted FTE percentage to the business of the university, may be required to report work for other employers to the university, and is not allowed to work for others if the extra work conflicts with university employment. An independent contractor is free to work when, for whom, and for as many employers as desired without permission of the university.

4.1.13 An employee typically performs work on the university's premises, unless instructed to do otherwise. An independent contractor usually does work that can be completed on or off the university's premises.

4.1.14 An employee often must perform services in a prescribed sequence. An independent contractor is free to perform services in any manner that produces the desired results.

4.1.15 An employee may be required to provide regular reports as required by the university. An independent contractor submits reports only as specified by the contract.

4.1.16 An employee is usually paid for work by the hour or by the month. An independent contractor is customarily paid by the job in a lump sum or on a commission basis.

4.1.17 An employee is paid on specified paydays. An independent contractor receives payment as specified by the contract.

4.1.18 An employee is reimbursed or paid by the university for business and travel expenses. An independent contractor is paid on a job basis and has to assume all expenses except those specified in the contract.

4.1.19 The university usually furnishes an employee with any tools, equipment, and materials needed to perform the job. An independent contractor supplies the tools, equipment, and materials necessary to provide the service.

4.1.20 An employee normally does not have a significant investment in the facilities used in a job. An independent contractor often does have a significant investment in facilities used in performing services. Facilities generally include equipment or premises necessary for the work.

4.1.21 An employee does not realize a profit or loss as a result of the job. An independent contractor is in a position to realize a profit or loss as a result of the contract.

4.1.22 An employee tends to work exclusively for one employer. An independent contractor normally works for more than one employer at the same time.

4.1.23 An employee usually does not make services available to the general public unless that is part of the job description. An independent contractor makes services available to the general public.

4.1.24 An employee is subject to discipline and/or discharge based on behavior and performance. An independent contractor cannot be fired as long as results produced measure up to contract specifications.

4.1.25 An employee has the right to end the employment relationship at any time without incurring liability. An independent contractor usually agrees to complete a specific job and is responsible for its satisfactory completion or is legally obligated to make good for failure to complete the job.

4.1.26 An employee has no employer identification number for federal tax purposes. An independent contractor has an employer identification number for federal tax purposes, which may be the individual's social security number.