Many construction companies use independent contractors. It is a standard industry practice. However, there has always been a tug of war between contractors and lawmakers debating exactly when a worker is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee. That’s driven in part by the concern that some employers will use misclassification to cheat workers out of benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled — i.e. health insurance, workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation, overtime pay and contributions to their Social Security accounts via employer payroll taxes.
