Final Rule to Revamp Independent Contractor Status Nears Release

The White House budget office has cleared a highly consequential US Department of Labor rule that would make it harder for businesses to classify their workers as independent contractors, the last step before the rule is officially published and goes into effect.

The DOL rule would expand the circumstances the agency considers when determining whether a worker should be classified as an independent contractor who is considered in business for themselves, or an employee who has full protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

If the final version follows the proposed version of the rule released last year, the DOL ...