{"id":7766,"date":"2025-01-14T10:07:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T10:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectglobal.tdwdev.co.uk\/?p=7766"},"modified":"2025-04-02T09:23:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T08:23:32","slug":"misclassifying-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectglobal.tdwdev.co.uk\/?p=7766","title":{"rendered":"Stop! Are You Misclassifying Your Employees As Contractors?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Freelancers are growing in the workplace! And, so too are the penalties for misclassifying employees as contractors.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In the UK, over 4.38 million people now work as freelancers. In the US, 38% of workers are freelancers, and in India, the gig economy is set to create up to 90 million jobs by 2030 (Statista 2025).<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Freelancers are particularly common in the media industry, where businesses rely on freelance writers, editors, and designers to stay agile and competitive. While hiring freelancers has many benefits such as flexibility, fresh skills, and reduced cost – it also comes with risk.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s consider why this matters, and how you can protect your business.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Is Worker Misclassification?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Misclassification happens when a business hires someone as a freelancer, but the relationship they have with them looks more like traditional employment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It\u2019s not enough to call someone a contractor. Many governments are cracking down on misclassification and they look at the reality of the relationship – not what the contract says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

If your freelancer works regular hours, uses your equipment, and only works for you, they may be considered an employee. Getting this wrong can result in serious consequences.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why <\/span>Worker <\/span>Misclassification <\/span>I<\/span>s<\/span> a<\/span> Problem<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Misclassification is more than a paperwork error. It can result in:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>