This CLE course will guide employment counsel in defending and negotiating settlements of independent contractor misclassification claims. The panel will discuss the latest trends in individual, collective, and class action worker misclassification lawsuits and best practices to help businesses minimize risk and withstand litigation.
In recent years independent contractor misclassification lawsuits have surged against companies of all sizes and industries. The laws governing whether a worker should be classified as an employee or independent contractor are riddled with grey areas, potentially exposing employers to costly litigation, including liquidated damages.
With the DOL, NLRB, IRS, and state regulatory bodies continuing to closely scrutinize the independent contractor model individual, collective, and class action misclassification lawsuits will only continue to climb. Indeed, the DOL's new FLSA independent contractor rule is reflective of increased attention to, and hostility towards, independent contractor arrangements.
In light of the growing litigation in this area, employment counsel must develop effective strategies to defend against these lawsuits, minimize potential exposure, and develop cost-effective resolution strategies. Further, employment counsel must guide employers in establishing, modifying, and critically evaluating independent contractor models and outside staffing arrangements in a way that mitigates litigation risk against a constantly shifting legal backdrop.
Listen as our panel of employment law attorneys reviews current litigation trends in independent contractor misclassification cases, provides effective strategies for defending claims and reaching settlements, and explains best practices for establishing and maintaining independent contractor models.
