4 ms·

Good to know. I’m a contractor and am just starting my own business separate from my main contracting role. Was curious what precedent there is for this dynamic

Good to know. I’m a contractor and am just starting my own business separate from my main contracting role. Was curious what precedent there is for this dynamic Edit: I was under the impression being a contractor would give one flexibility to do whatever they want when they’re not billing hours, depends on the contract wording of course

ghaff 4y ago
In fact, I've seen contractors (who want to be contractors) who limit the hours they work for any single client so there's no question as to whether they're an employee or not.
jollofricepeas 4y ago
Word of unsolicited advice: 1. Paying a business attorney in your state upfront for q&a is cheaper than paying them later when things go wrong. 2. Please don’t get your legal advice from HN.
- Aloha 4y ago
  The only legal advice anyone should accept from HN is "contact an attorney in your jurisdiction"
  - bigiain 4y ago
    I dunno. “Only ever break one law at a time” is pretty universally good advice. But yeah. Call a lawyer… Preferably well before you need one in a hurry.
    - pwdisswordfish9 4y ago
      > “Only ever break one law at a time” is pretty universally good advice. If you’re breaking zero laws, stop.
gnopgnip 4y ago
If you are in CA you have a "right to moonlight" provided there is no conflict of interest. In probably 47 other states you could be fired for your activity outside of work even without a conflict of interest.
- pc86 4y ago
  You can still be fired "for no reason" in CA at any time. It's still at-will employment.
  - vinceguidry 4y ago
    The State of California prohibits firing for certain causes and if you are fired for those reasons you can file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner and they're authorized to collect lost wages from your former employer on your behalf.
    - pc86 4y ago
      Which, while probably true, is unrelated to what I said.
mr_toad 4y ago
> depends on the contract wording of course This. Also, as a contractor you can generally be let go with no reason and little notice (also depending on the contract). Of course that cuts both ways; if you have multiple clients you can also jump ship quite easily.

ghaff 4y ago

In fact, I've seen contractors (who want to be contractors) who limit the hours they work for any single client so there's no question as to whether they're an employee or not.

jollofricepeas 4y ago

Word of unsolicited advice: 1. Paying a business attorney in your state upfront for q&a is cheaper than paying them later when things go wrong. 2. Please don’t get your legal advice from HN.

Aloha 4y ago
The only legal advice anyone should accept from HN is "contact an attorney in your jurisdiction"
- bigiain 4y ago
  I dunno. “Only ever break one law at a time” is pretty universally good advice. But yeah. Call a lawyer… Preferably well before you need one in a hurry.
  - pwdisswordfish9 4y ago
    > “Only ever break one law at a time” is pretty universally good advice. If you’re breaking zero laws, stop.

gnopgnip 4y ago

If you are in CA you have a "right to moonlight" provided there is no conflict of interest. In probably 47 other states you could be fired for your activity outside of work even without a conflict of interest.

pc86 4y ago
You can still be fired "for no reason" in CA at any time. It's still at-will employment.
- vinceguidry 4y ago
  The State of California prohibits firing for certain causes and if you are fired for those reasons you can file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner and they're authorized to collect lost wages from your former employer on your behalf.
  - pc86 4y ago
    Which, while probably true, is unrelated to what I said.

mr_toad 4y ago

> depends on the contract wording of course This. Also, as a contractor you can generally be let go with no reason and little notice (also depending on the contract). Of course that cuts both ways; if you have multiple clients you can also jump ship quite easily.