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Friday, October 9, 2026

New Proposed Rule on Independent Contractors Sent to White House - SHRM

A new U.S. Department of Labor proposed rule on which workers are independent contractors is expected soon, as the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) received it for review on July 5. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.

Proposed Rule Nearing Completion

Review by OIRA in the White House Office of Management and Budget is one of the last steps before a proposal becomes public. The rulemaking is the Biden administration's second attempt to revise how it interprets whether workers should be classified as independent contractors or employees who are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

(Bloomberg)

Public Forums Held

Public forums on the proposed rule were held in June on those who may be affected by employee or independent-contractor classification. An employer forum was held June 24, and a worker forum on June 29.

Why the Rule Matters

Under the FLSA, employees are entitled to minimum wage, overtime pay and other benefits. Independent contractors are not entitled to such benefits, but they generally have more flexibility to set their own schedules and work for multiple companies. A Trump administration rule still in effect made it easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees.

Court Reinstated Trump-Era Rule

In January 2021, the department published a rule on the issue under the Trump administration. This rule was delayed under the Biden...



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