Employment Law: Employees > Independent Contractor & Employee Rights
The differences between the rights of contractors and employees usually arise when there is a dispute with an employer. For effective advocacy for your rights, it’s essential to consult lawyers with a thorough understanding of employment law, and the rights applied to different types of workers.
At Vice & Hunter LLP, our legal team has supported the rights of contractors and employees during legal disputes since 1975. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, our legal team will determine if certain employment rights apply to your working relationship as a contractor.
The Differences Between A Contractor And An Employee
Employees are entitled to paid vacation, overtime hours, and the right to adequate termination notice, and can collect employment insurance and are covered by worker’s compensation. Contractors do not usually benefit from these entitlements, but they usually may pay less in taxes, and have fewer deductions from their income.
However, just because an employer has hired you as a contractor, does not mean that certain benefits reserved for full-time employees won’t apply to you. This means that if an employer terminates your contract, you may be entitled to claim compensation for a wrongful dismissal.
Identifying Your Rights As A Contractor
At our firm, our legal team has over 40 years of experience advocating on behalf of contractors and employees. While you may have signed a contract as a contractor, we know what substantive evidence is required to prove that the working relationship is actually that of employer-employee.
We can also efficiently identify cases where this does not apply, and will give you an honest assessment of your situation. We will examine factors such as the level of control the employer had over your work, if you used your own equipment, resources, and associates – all of which impact whether the services provided were those of an employee or a contractor.
Learn More About Our Services
With decades of extensive experience under our belts, contact the legal team of Vice & Hunter LLP for customized legal advice. Call 613-701-0898 or 866-252-0670 toll-free or arrange a consultation below with our firm using our online form.