Wisconsin Launches Independent Contractor Campaign

December 15, 2023 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

Workforce Development started educational campaign to build a greater awareness among employers and workers about worker misclassification.,

Wisconsin Launches Independent Contractor Campaign

The Department of Workforce Development has announced an educational campaign to build a greater awareness among employers and workers about worker misclassification, a practice when employees are incorrectly treated as independent contractors. Under the law, workers are presumed to be employees, unless it is demonstrated that specific criteria are met to support being classified as an independent contractor. According to NFIB member ballot results, a majority of small business owners favor a single independent contractor definition. The Department of Workforce Development has updated its web page to provide misclassification information, including how to report suspected incidents of misclassification, and how to satisfy the criteria for independent contractor status. The Department says misclassification is a concern because it often results in wage theft, tax avoidance, and the loss of employee benefits, including unemployment insurance and worker compensation. The DWD combats misclassification in the workplace through investigation and enforcement as well as education with a focus on outreach to unions, employers, and business-related organizations, including NFIB.

Topics:

Taxes

State:

Wisconsin

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