Many of our employer clients and their in-house counsel recognize that most of the claims paid in an employment settlement are taxable income for the employee. Employers therefore, wisely require that at least some of the settlement payment to the employee be made in the form of a payroll check, with
penalty
Employers Beware – The Crackdown Continues
The State of California Signed an MOU with the Federal Department of Labor Together They Will Locate and Punish Those Who Misclassify Independent Contractors
In my November 4, 2011 post, I discussed a new California law (Labor Code § 226.8) that imposes serious monetary fines and other sanctions against those who willfully misclassify workers as “independent contractors” rather than “employees.” Those who violate the law can find themselves paying up to $15,000 per violation and up to $25,000 if there is a pattern and practice of misclassification. Also, if the violator is a licensed business, it runs the risk of having its license revoked. Finally, the law provides for publication of a notice to employees and the general public for a period of one year, stating that the violator committed a serious violation of the law.…