An independent contractor is a person or business who performs services for another person under an express or implied agreement and who is not subject to the other's control, or right to control, the manner and means of performing the services. The person who hires an independent contractor is not liable to others for the acts or omissions of the independent contractor. An independent contractor is distinguished from an employee, who works regularly for an employer. The exact nature of the independent contractor's relationship with the hiring party is important since an independent contractor pays their own Social Security, income taxes without payroll deduction, has no retirement or health plan rights, and often is not entitled to worker's compensation coverage.
There are a number of factors which to consider in making the decision whether people are employees or independent contractors. No one factor is controlling, and the characterization of the relationship by the parties is also not controlling.
One of the most important considerations is the degree of control exercised by the company over the work of the workers. An employer has the right to control an employee. It is important to determine whether the company had the right to direct and control the workers not only as to the results desired, but also as to the details, manner and means by which the results were accomplished. If the company had the right to supervise and control such details of the work peformed, and the manner and means by which the results were to be accomplished, an employer-employee relationship would be indicated. On the other hand, the absence of supervision and control by the company would support a finding that the workers were independent contractors and not employees. Whether or not such control was exercised is not the determining factor, it is the right to control which is key.
Another factor to be considered is the connection and regularity of business between the independent contractor and the hiring party. Important factors to be considered are separate advertising, procurement of licensing, maintenance of a place of business, and supplying of tools and equipment by the independent contractor. If the service rendered is to be completed by a certain time, as opposed to an indefinite time period, a finding of an independent contractor status is more likely.
Also, an independent contractor is more likely to be subject to the risk of taking a profit or loss in the work performed. An employee is generally paid on an hourly, salary, or commission basis, whereas an independent contractor is ordinarily paid an agreed amount, or according to an agreed formula, for a given job.
Title: Massachusetts Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book Introduction: A Massachusetts Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book is a legally binding contract that governs the relationship between an independent contractor and a buyer/publisher when engaging in book sales transactions. This agreement ensures clarity and protects the rights and obligations of both parties. Keywords: Massachusetts, self-employed, independent contractor, agreement, sale of book, legally binding, relationship, buyer, publisher, transactions, clarity, rights, obligations. 1. General Purpose: The general purpose of this agreement is to outline the terms and conditions under which a self-employed independent contractor in Massachusetts sells books to buyers/publishers. It aims to establish clear expectations, define responsibilities and protect the interests of both parties. Keywords: general purpose, terms and conditions, self-employed, independent contractor, Massachusetts, buyers, publishers, expectations, responsibilities, interests. 2. Parties Involved: The agreement identifies the parties involved, such as the self-employed independent contractor (seller) and the buyer or publisher (purchaser). It includes their legal names, contact details, and any additional parties who may be involved or affected by the agreement. Keywords: parties involved, self-employed, independent contractor, seller, buyer, publisher, legal names, contact details, additional parties. 3. Book Details: The agreement specifies the book or books being sold, including their titles, authors, publication dates, and any unique identifiers like ISBNs. It helps to ensure that the correct books are being sold and provides clarity for both parties. Keywords: book details, titles, authors, publication dates, unique identifiers, ISBNs, clarity. 4. Payment Terms: This section outlines how the payment for the sale of books will be structured, including the pricing of individual books, any discounts or royalties involved, and the preferred payment methods. It may also include details about payment schedules, invoicing, and potential penalties for late or non-payment. Keywords: payment terms, payment structure, pricing, discounts, royalties, payment methods, schedules, invoicing, penalties. 5. Delivery and Shipping: The agreement may include provisions related to the delivery and shipping of books, outlining responsibilities and expectations around packaging, transportation, insurance, and potential damages during shipment. This ensures a smooth and secure delivery process for both parties. Keywords: delivery, shipping, packaging, transportation, insurance, damages, shipment, secure delivery, process. 6. Rights and Obligations: This section defines the rights and obligations of both the self-employed independent contractor and the buyer/publisher. It may cover areas such as copyright, intellectual property, exclusivity, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements. Keywords: rights, obligations, copyright, intellectual property, exclusivity, confidentiality, non-disclosure agreements. Types of Massachusetts Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book: — Standard Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book: A comprehensive and typical agreement covering all necessary aspects of the book sale between the independent contractor and the buyer/publisher. — Customizable Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book: A template that allows parties to modify the agreement based on specific requirements or unique circumstances. Keywords: types, Massachusetts, self-employed, independent contractor, agreement, sale of book, standard, customizable, comprehensive, template, unique circumstances.Title: Massachusetts Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book Introduction: A Massachusetts Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book is a legally binding contract that governs the relationship between an independent contractor and a buyer/publisher when engaging in book sales transactions. This agreement ensures clarity and protects the rights and obligations of both parties. Keywords: Massachusetts, self-employed, independent contractor, agreement, sale of book, legally binding, relationship, buyer, publisher, transactions, clarity, rights, obligations. 1. General Purpose: The general purpose of this agreement is to outline the terms and conditions under which a self-employed independent contractor in Massachusetts sells books to buyers/publishers. It aims to establish clear expectations, define responsibilities and protect the interests of both parties. Keywords: general purpose, terms and conditions, self-employed, independent contractor, Massachusetts, buyers, publishers, expectations, responsibilities, interests. 2. Parties Involved: The agreement identifies the parties involved, such as the self-employed independent contractor (seller) and the buyer or publisher (purchaser). It includes their legal names, contact details, and any additional parties who may be involved or affected by the agreement. Keywords: parties involved, self-employed, independent contractor, seller, buyer, publisher, legal names, contact details, additional parties. 3. Book Details: The agreement specifies the book or books being sold, including their titles, authors, publication dates, and any unique identifiers like ISBNs. It helps to ensure that the correct books are being sold and provides clarity for both parties. Keywords: book details, titles, authors, publication dates, unique identifiers, ISBNs, clarity. 4. Payment Terms: This section outlines how the payment for the sale of books will be structured, including the pricing of individual books, any discounts or royalties involved, and the preferred payment methods. It may also include details about payment schedules, invoicing, and potential penalties for late or non-payment. Keywords: payment terms, payment structure, pricing, discounts, royalties, payment methods, schedules, invoicing, penalties. 5. Delivery and Shipping: The agreement may include provisions related to the delivery and shipping of books, outlining responsibilities and expectations around packaging, transportation, insurance, and potential damages during shipment. This ensures a smooth and secure delivery process for both parties. Keywords: delivery, shipping, packaging, transportation, insurance, damages, shipment, secure delivery, process. 6. Rights and Obligations: This section defines the rights and obligations of both the self-employed independent contractor and the buyer/publisher. It may cover areas such as copyright, intellectual property, exclusivity, confidentiality, and non-disclosure agreements. Keywords: rights, obligations, copyright, intellectual property, exclusivity, confidentiality, non-disclosure agreements. Types of Massachusetts Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book: — Standard Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book: A comprehensive and typical agreement covering all necessary aspects of the book sale between the independent contractor and the buyer/publisher. — Customizable Self-Employed Independent Contractor Agreement for the Sale of Book: A template that allows parties to modify the agreement based on specific requirements or unique circumstances. Keywords: types, Massachusetts, self-employed, independent contractor, agreement, sale of book, standard, customizable, comprehensive, template, unique circumstances.