Rule 3341-5-30 | Independent contractors policy.
(A) Policy statement and purpose
The purpose of this policy is to prescribe guidelines for obtaining the services and compensating an independent contractor at Bowling Green state university under the conditions established by the IRS. It is the intent of university to classify individuals as independent contractors only when there is a reasonable basis for such determination.
(B) Policy
(1) Eligibility.
(a) Individuals classified as independent contractors are not eligible for any employee benefits, are not covered by worker's compensation, and pay for services is also not subject to income tax withholding.
(b) Individuals who are currently employed with Bowling Green state university may not be paid as an independent contractor.
(c) Individuals who have been employed with Bowling Green state university may not be paid as an independent contractor in the same calendar year that they were an employee holding the same position, with the same duties.
(2) Definitions.
(a) Independent contractor An individual who performs a service for the university, but is free from substantial control or direction in the performance of his or her work under a contract of service. An independent contractor is always an individual and shall not be a corporation or other similar legal entity.
(i) Independent contractors usually have a skill or area of expertise not available within the university, and the need for their services commonly does not extend beyond a limited period of time in which to complete a defined project.
(ii) As a general rule, the university has the right to control or direct only the result of the work done by an independent contractor, and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result.
(iii) Independent contractors are further defined by the following criteria:
(a) No instructions. Independent contractors are not required to follow, nor are they furnished with, instructions to accomplish a job.
(b) No training. Independent contractors typically do not receive training by the university. They use their own methods to accomplish the work, but may have to use a university system to complete their work.
(c) Others can be hired. Independent contractors are hired to provide a result and may usually have the right to hire others to do the actual work.
(d) Independent contractor's work is not essential. The university's success or continuation should not depend on the service of outside independent contractors.
(e) No time schedule. Independent contractors set their own work hours and schedule.
(f) No permanent relationship. Independent contractors do not have a continuing relationship with the university. The relationship can be frequent, but it must be at irregular intervals, on call, or whenever work is available.
(g) Other jobs. Independent contractors should have enough time available to pursue other gainful work.
(h) Location. Independent contractors control where they work. If they work on the premises of the university, it is for convenience and not under the university's direction or supervision.
(i) Order of work. Independent contractors determine the order and sequence in which they will perform their work.
(j) No hourly pay. Independent contractors are paid by the job, not by time. Payment by the job can include periodic payments based on a percentage of job completed. Payment can be based on the number of hours needed to do the job times a fixed hourly rate. Payment method should be determined before the job commences.
(k) Multiple firms. Independent contractors often work for more than one firm at a time.
(l) Business expenses. Independent contractors are generally responsible for their own business expenses, although it is not uncommon for independent contractors to negotiate to contract for reimbursement for all associated travel expenses.
(m) Significant investment. Independent contractors should be able to perform their services without the university's facilities (equipment, office furniture, machinery, etc.). The independent contractor's investment in their trade must be real, essential, and adequate.
(n) Services available to the public. Independent contractors make their services available to the general public by one or more of the following: having an office and assistants; having business signs; having a business license; listing their services in a business directory; or advertising their services.
(o) Profit or loss possibilities. Independent contractors should be able to make a profit or a loss. Employees cannot suffer a loss. Five circumstances show that a profit or loss is possible: the independent contractor hires, directs, and pays assistants; the independent contractor has his own office, equipment, materials, or facilities; the independent contractor has continuing and recurring liabilities; the independent contractor has agreed to perform specific jobs for prices agreed upon in advance; and the independent contractor's services affect his own business reputation.
(p) Termination. Independent contractors' contractual agreement may be terminated for any reason by either party upon written notification.
(3) Responsibility
(a) Requesting department.
(i) The requesting department representative must initiate the completion of the independent contractor determination form and will forward all documentation to human resources for approval.
(ii) The requesting department representative is responsible for obtaining any supporting documentation, and attaching it to the independent contractor determination form.
(iii) An independent contractor working arrangement will not be commenced or entered into, without approval from human resources and the appropriate vice president.
(b) Independent contractor.
(i) The independent contractor will furnish the university with all applicable contract information.
(ii) The requesting department will have a contractual agreement that will be drawn by the university that will outline the expectations of the university for the assignment that the independent contractor will undertake.
(iii) If necessary the requesting department will secure a confidentiality agreement, signed by the independent contractor provided by the university.
(iv) The independent contractor may not subcontract work without BGSU written permission.
(c) Human resources and university counsel.
(i) Human resources, in consultation with university counsel, will approve or deny requested independent contractor employment agreements. No approval will be processed without the approval of the president or the appropriate vice president.
(ii) The purchasing department will be contacted when an independent contractor employment arrangement has been approved.
(d) Purchasing department.
(i) Purchasing will be notified by human resources should an independent contractor relationship be established.
(ii) The requesting department shall work with purchasing to ensure all documentation (vendor data form) is completed.
(iii) Once the independent contractor has been approved by purchasing as a vendor they will notify accounts payable of the approval.
(iv) Purchasing will determine if the payment to the independent contractor will exceed allowable limits and thus require a department to go through the request for proposal (RFP) process.
Date: November 1st, 2013
Last updated March 2, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3345