SFA032 Employee or contractor? There is a difference. (705 words)

This article explains the differences between employees and contractors and warns your clients that there are strict laws protecting employees against employers who may try to reduce their costs by engaging workers under the wrong employment category. A handy reminder for both employers and employees. Written in the adviser's voice.

I can understand during difficult economic times that business owners search for ways to reduce their costs and outgoings, but when those decisions affect others detrimentally, that’s when I get cranky.

Recently I had a phone call from a client who had been retrenched six months ago. Although this man is very skilled and talented, he has been struggling to find full-time work in his chosen profession. He and his wife had savings put aside for such a time but living on one wage for six months was not only testing the savings balance but also their relationship. So he decided to try a different career role.