Many businesses prefer to hire independent contractors because there’s often less overhead and fewer expenses (i.e. taxes). However, classify an employee as an independent contractor and you’re in big trouble. Here’s how to legally differentiate between the two. Who Controls the Worker? This question is not always easy to answer. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), evidence of …
Save the Date: Farm Employment/Labor Law Webinar on Feb. 20th
I will be moderating a webinar titled “Overview of Employment and Labor Law for Farms and Ranches” on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from 2:00- 4:00 ET for the American Bar Association’s General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee. Other faculty include Rachel Armstrong (Farm Commons), Kimbery Clarke (Varum LLP), Edward Cox (Drake University Agriculture Law Center), Karen Eichman …
Questions Farmers Should Ask When Reading Farmers’ Market Rules
As noted in my last post, I have enjoyed reading Prof. Neil Hamilton’s publication titled “Farmers’ Markets: Rules, Regulations and Opportunities.” He includes a nice list of questions for farmers/vendors to ask themselves when reviewing the Market Rules for a particular farmers’ market which include: (1) Who sponsors the farmers’ market? (2) How long as the farmers’ market been established? …
The Family Business: Hiring and Firing Family Members
I really enjoyed reading the article by Don Tyler titled “Working with Family — Hiring (and Firing) Family Members in this month’s Feedlot magazine (pages 36, 38). It reminded me of the unique challenges that family businesses must face — whether it is a family farm/ranch or any other type of business. Intra-family dynamics can seriously affect the day-to-day operations …
Worthwhile Posts For Start-Up Businesses or the Independently Employed
I was trolling through the blogosphere this morning and came across some great blogs from Gina Madsen for small business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs: 1. Have you been considering using your 401(k) to help fund your start-up? If so, read this first. 2. If you are some type of self-employed person such as an agriculture free-lance writer, photographer or graphics …
Monday Links
I hope all my readers had a nice weekend- beautiful weather out east. I went to Virginia last weekend and stayed on a beautiful farm with a friend from Texas A & M who is currently living in Washington D.C. I have some Monday links that you might enjoy: 1. Is anybody else considering switching to the iPhone 4G? I …