DOL Proposes Broad Independent Contractor Rule: What Businesses Need to Know

Businesses that use independent contractor work would do well to pay attention to the news out of Washington, D.C., because on Oct. 11, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its long-awaited proposed rule on contractor classification. The proposed rule would impose a six-factor “economic reality test,” with all the factors equally weighted. The six-factor test would look broadly at the “totality of the circumstances” to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

According to the DOL press release, the proposed rule provides a framework more consistent with existing judicial precedent than the current rule, which was promulgated by the prior administration. Indeed, the proposed rule expressly rescinds the currently applicable rule. The public has 45 days to comment on the proposed rule once it is printed in the Federal Register on Oct. 13.

The current rule prescribes a five-factor test to guide the analysis, two of which were designated as “core factors” carrying more weight: 1) nature and degree of control over the work and 2) the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss. As such, under the “core factor” test, if these two factors point in the same direction – an independent contractor – then it is likely that the worker is properly classified as an independent contractor. 

By contrast, the proposed six-factor totality test eschews any predetermined weighting. Rather, it requires that each factor be considered in light of the economic reality of the entire activity at issue. The six factors are:

• Opportunity for profit or loss depending on managerial skill
• Investments by the worker and employer
• Degree of permanence of the work relationship (including exclusivity)
• Nature and degree of control (i.e. scheduling, supervision, price setting, and ability to work for others)
• Extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business 
• Skill and business-like initiative

Additionally, the proposed rule provides that additional factors may be considered if relevant to the ultimate question of whether a worker is in business for himself or herself or is instead economically dependent on the employer for work. 

Notably, the DOL stated it considered the so-called “ABC” test adopted in California. To the relief of businesses everywhere outside of California, the DOL declined to codify such a rule under federal law, explaining that it believes that it is legally constrained from adopting the ABC test due to Supreme Court precedent.

In proposing this rule, the DOL emphasized it is merely a return to the test that existed in case law prior to 2021. And, in the notice to be printed in the Federal Register, the DOL seeks to lay out its support for the factors found in judicial decisions across the country.

Regardless of the spin, given the breadth of considerations, this proposed rule, if adopted, likely offers businesses less clarity on when workers may be classified as contractors under federal law, and more opportunity for courts to find that the “totality” weighs in favor of an employment relationship. In the meantime, affected businesses would be wise to consider reviewing their classification analysis to determine whether it is consistent with the proposed rule.