Do Independent Contractors Have Rights Against Discrimination or Harassment? [Infographic]

Do Independent Contractors Have Rights Against Discrimination or Harassment

Generally, independent contractors have fewer legal protections than workers who are hired as employees.

For example, federal law gives employees the right to sue if they are victims of sexual harassment or workplace discrimination.

These rights are not afforded to independent contractors.

Increasingly, however, states are expanding protections for independent contractors.

Still, many states have not addressed this issue.

Consider that:

Estimates suggest 1 in 5 U.S. workers are independent contractors.

If freelancing grows at current rates, the majority of U.S. workers will freelance by 2027.

States lacking laws that protect independent contractors from harassment and discrimination force millions of workers to fend for themselves with limited legal recourse.

These independent contractors can only take legal action against criminal behavior.

Until state laws in Arizona change, independent contractors may wish to consider joining a union or creating a contract with built-in sexual harassment protections with the help of an Arizona employment lawyer.

Speak to an Arizona employment lawyer today to see how to protect yourself from harassment and discrimination as an independent contractor.