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Washington · 02-07-2006, 03:45 PM

I am a pilot flying a DHC-6 Twin Otter for a skydiving operation. I have worked for them for about a year. They do not fly during the winter and, because of that I get no $ during the winter.

They classify me as an independant contractor.

After doing some research, I have found that I probably am misclassified, and should be an actual employee. They direct how I am to do my job, they provide all equipment (ie, a million dollar plane), and tell me what power settings to run, provide annual reccurent training, etc.

They are very good nice people and are my friends. I have known them and their friends for much longer than a year.

The Owner has asked me if I would like to be re classifided as an employee.

They asked me this because their fellow dropzone owner friends said that they classify their pilots as employees, and the pilots then simply collect unemployment benefits all winter.

Easy money always sounds good but there is always a catch.

What is most advantagous for me? Should I ask them to reclassify me as an employee? What are the beneifits/cons of this?

I know that as an employee, id have to have taxes witheld all year, but as an IC i have to pay them at the end of the year anyway.

If I'm an employee are they required to provide health benefits?

What is better for me from a monentary standpoint?

Would appreciate any guidance.

Thanks

PS, The job is in michgian. The max unemployment benefits is about 300 per week for i think about 26 weeks. The job pays me an average of 500/ week during the summer months. I am guarenteed at least this much per week during the summer. But i get nothing during the winter.

02-07-2006, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Washington Insane Location: somewhere cool	Independant contractor vs employee I am a pilot flying a DHC-6 Twin Otter for a skydiving operation. I have worked for them for about a year. They do not fly during the winter and, because of that I get no $ during the winter. They classify me as an independant contractor. After doing some research, I have found that I probably am misclassified, and should be an actual employee. They direct how I am to do my job, they provide all equipment (ie, a million dollar plane), and tell me what power settings to run, provide annual reccurent training, etc. They are very good nice people and are my friends. I have known them and their friends for much longer than a year. The Owner has asked me if I would like to be re classifided as an employee. They asked me this because their fellow dropzone owner friends said that they classify their pilots as employees, and the pilots then simply collect unemployment benefits all winter. Easy money always sounds good but there is always a catch. What is most advantagous for me? Should I ask them to reclassify me as an employee? What are the beneifits/cons of this? I know that as an employee, id have to have taxes witheld all year, but as an IC i have to pay them at the end of the year anyway. If I'm an employee are they required to provide health benefits? What is better for me from a monentary standpoint? Would appreciate any guidance. Thanks PS, The job is in michgian. The max unemployment benefits is about 300 per week for i think about 26 weeks. The job pays me an average of 500/ week during the summer months. I am guarenteed at least this much per week during the summer. But i get nothing during the winter. __________________ there is no absolute, only the moment.