Contract and temporary employees play a vital role in today’s workforce, filling both short- and long-term roles across a wide range of industries. A “temporary” or “contract” label does not strip an individual of their legal rights. While employers often treat these workers as having fewer rights or protections, Illinois law says otherwise.
In Illinois, temporary workers are protected from unfair fees:
- The labor or temp service agency and jobsite company cannot charge a fee to transport you to or from the work site;
- The labor or temp service agency and jobsite company cannot charge a check-cashing fee;
- The total amount deducted from your pay for meals, equipment, and transportation cannot cause your hourly wage to fall below the minimum wage;
Many industries will also try to get around many labor law protections by continuously contacting with ‘temporary’ workers even though the person works there long-term. If you are assigned or placed to work at the same third-party client company for more than 720 hours (18 weeks) within a 12-month period, then you may be entitled to be the same as their direct-hire employees.
If you are a temporary or contract worker and believe you have been underpaid or charged unfair fees, contact Caffarelli & Associates for a confidential consultation.
