The reason for the separate treatment of TVCs and full time employees is likely due to the Microsoft independent contractor lawsuits a long time ago. Microsoft

The reason for the separate treatment of TVCs and full time employees is likely due to the Microsoft independent contractor lawsuits a long time ago. Microsoft used to treat independent contractors similarly to full time employees, except for a few benefits such as participation in their stock benefits. When the IRS ruled that the independent contractors were really employees due to them being treated similarly as full time employees, independent contractors sued Microsoft to get stock benefits as well. See https://www.reuters.com/article/businesspropicks-us-findlaw-dont-treat-c-idUSTRE53063S20090401 https://www.reuters.com/article/businesspropicks-us-findlaw-...