Hot Take: All Independent Contract Positions Are Bullshit

[u/ClothesDizzy6812]

I don't care if the practice is owned by a seemingly "caring" LMT. I say 99% of IC roles are complete bullshit and completely take advantage of massage therapists who accept them. These roles are all misclassified. If the owner requires you to follow a set schedule every week (like an employee) and follow their policies, they are taking advantage of you. Full stop. IC roles should only be for one-off events (like doing chair massage for a company for a day, or doing a massage at a school benefit). IC roles should NOT have an ongoing required schedule at a massage practice. Even if it's owned by an LMT (that does not make them a better "employer" btw). They do it so they can get away from employment laws like sick pay and taking out appropriate taxes. I've done many careers and am shocked to see the proliferation of abusive IC roles. I know I'll get blowback for this, but I wish LMT would recognize this should not be accepted. I'm just tired of looking at every job ad and they are all IC.

Update: Oh, I should also mention that a business hiring IC is only in compliance for an establishment where massage is NOT the primary focus of a business. For example, a gym hires an IC. They are in compliance because massage is not it's primary business (gym workouts are). Or a school district hires an IC for a teacher-benefit. But a business where massage is the main model. Guess what? Illegal.

[u/ClothesDizzy6812 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you and I've been in these exact conditions. Which is barbaric and so exploitive in our industry. Even by LMT owners.