Criteria

Employee

Independent Contractor

Supervision/ Control

Employees are under the direction and control of the employer.  They are subject to performance standards set by a superior (e.g. owner of business, manager, etc), even if control is not directly exercised.

Control includes hours, work duties, when, where and how work is to be performed.

Independent contractors operate as their own business.  They are not subject to regular performance management by another person or company.

Independent contractors can decide how, when, where to perform work.  They can decide on their own hours and work duties.

Who Performs the Work

An employee is hired as the specific person expected to perform work. 

Employees are not authorized to hire their own staff or help without approval of person or company.

They must devote their time to employer’s business, and may be restricted from working for others in same industry.

There is no expectation that a specific person will carry out all or even part of service.

Independent contractors frequently hire their own staff or help to assist in completing work.

They are free to work when, and for whom, they choose.

Ownership of Tools

Employees often work for a person or company who provides the materials and equipment to perform work, and who is responsible for the costs of repairs, insurance and operational costs, such as fuel, for instance.

Often employees are reimbursed for these expenses if they are expected to pay for them (e.g. mileage expenses).

Independent contractors are expected to provide most of the investment needed to complete work, including the tools, materials and equipment required to do the job.

Chance of Profit/Risk of Loss

Employees earn wages.  They typically do not assume a risk of loss associated with their work or have the chance to make a profit.  Prices for the goods or services they are providing are set by another person. 

 
Employees are limited to working the hours authorized by another person or company.

Employees typically cannot make a profit or loss by making good or bad decisions.

Independent contractors have full control to maximize profit as a price maker (the price for the service provided is set by the contractor).

They may take as many jobs, and work as many or few hours as desired, to increase or decrease income.

They can see a profit or loss as a result of services provided.

Integration

Employees are hired to perform tasks related to the core purpose of the business for whom they are working. 

Independent contractors provide specialized services to clients and promote their business through advertisements.

They typically maintain their own business phone number and office space.

Independent Contractors are usually separate from the client's business and are not integrated or merged into it.

Payment

Employees are paid on a regular basis – such as bi-weekly or weekly -  or based on the hours worked or commissions earned.

Source deductions are remitted by another person or company.

Independent contractors collect income by invoicing clients for services on jobs completed.

Independent contractors are responsible for remitting source deductions for employees.

Length of Employment Relationship

Employees often work for the same person or company on a frequent and ongoing basis.

Independent contractors are typically hired to provide a specific service with a defined end date.