Under the Workers' Compensation Law, most individuals providing services to a for-profit business will be deemed an
employee of that business and therefore must be covered by the employer for workers' compensation insurance. This
applies unless those services are specifically excluded as employment under the WCL.

For workers' compensation insurance purposes, the term employee generally includes day labor, leased
employees, borrowed employees, part-time employees, unpaid volunteers (including family members) and most
subcontractors (specific exclusions listed under Identifying an Independent Contractor).

Many factors are used to decide whether an individual is an employee under the Workers' Compensation Law. If a
business meets any of the criteria listed below, and the individual hired does not meet the criteria listed under
independent contractors, or the services rendered are not specifically exempted as employment under the WCL, then
that business must obtain a workers' compensation insurance policy.

The factors that are considered to determine whether an individual is an employee within the meaning of the WCL
and thus must be provided with workers' compensation insurance coverage by the employer include:

Right to Control- The degree of direction and control a person or organization exercises over someone they contract
with to perform a task is always a central issue in determining an employer-employee relationship. A person or
organization controlling the manner in which the work is to be performed indicates that the task is being performed by
an employee. If the person doing the labor controls the time and manner in which the work is to be done this may
indicate that the task is being done by an independent contractor. If an individual is truly independent, the individual
generally works under his/her own operating permit, contract or authority.

Character of Work Is the Same as Employer- Work being done that is consistent with the primary work performed
by the hiring business indicates that the labor is being done by an employee. Work done by a person that is different
than the primary work of the hiring business may indicate the task is being performed by an independent contractor.
(For example, someone installing shingles for a roofer is generally considered the employee of that roofer.
Conversely, a plumber hired on a one time basis to fix a broken pipe for a retail store owner is generally considered
an independent contractor,)

Method of Payment- Employees tend to be paid wages on an hourly, daily. weekly, or monthly basis. Naturally,
employment is indicated if the hiring business withholds taxes and/or provides other employee benefits
(Unemployment Insurance, health insurance, pensions, FICA, etc.) Whether the labor is paid using a W2 or 1099
Form for tax purposes does not matter in determining an employer/employee relationship for workers' compensation
purposes. A business paying cash to an individual for services usually indicates that the individual is an employee.
Payment made for performance of the task as a whole may indicate the task is being done by an independent
contractor.

Furnishing Equipment/Materials- A business providing the equipment and/or materials used by people in
performing the work tends to indicate an employer-employee relationship.

Right to Hire/Fire- A business retaining the authority to hire and fire the individuals performing the work indicates an
employee is performing the work. An independent contractor retains a degree of control over the time when the work
is to be accomplished and is not subject to be discharged by the hiring entity because of the method he chooses to
use in performing the work. Naturally, an independent contractor's services may be terminated if the services
rendered do not meet contractual requirements,)

All factors may be considered and no one factor alone determines whether a person will be considered an employee
under the WCL.

Note: A workers' compensation law judge determines whether a person is considered an employee at a hearing
following a work related accident or illness.