Title: Questions About Hiring On-Call Employees as an S-Corp Owner
Hello! I’m the sole owner and employee of an LLC in California that’s taxed as an S-Corp. I’m considering hiring a few “on-call” employees for specific projects, and I have some questions regarding their benefits and how it might affect my personal benefits.
I’m looking to bring in a couple of individuals to work for approximately 4-8 weeks each summer, with the possibility of substantial overtime during that period. The work would be demand-based and not consistent throughout the year, so it doesn’t quite fit the traditional seasonal employment model. While they wouldn’t be working full-time year-round, when they are on the clock, it might average over 30 hours per week.
Currently, I provide myself with health insurance, dental coverage, and a 401(k) and HSA plan. Would I be required to offer these benefits to the new hires during their employment? I’m committed to treating my employees fairly and want to fully understand my obligations. I’m open to providing appropriate benefits, especially since I believe the pay will be competitive enough to compensate for the absence of benefits. Additionally, given the level of control I would have over their work, I’m wondering if a contractor relationship would be suitable or if that might not be the right approach.
I appreciate any insights or resources you can share! Thank you!
2 Comments
It’s great to hear that you’re considering expanding your team! Hiring employees can be a big step, and it’s wise to be informed about your obligations and options.
Employee Classification: Since you mentioned having a significant level of control over the workers’ tasks and schedules, it seems appropriate to classify them as employees rather than independent contractors. Contractors typically have more control over how they complete their work, while employees are more integrated into the organization.
Benefits Obligations:
Healthcare: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you are required to provide health insurance to employees only if you have 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). As long as you keep your workforce below this threshold, you’re not mandated to provide health insurance. However, if you’re doing so, you may consider offering them access to your existing health insurance plans or provide alternative compensation options.
401(k) Plan: While you’re not required to offer a retirement plan to your employees, if you do have a 401(k), you may want to extend eligibility to your part-time employees after they meet certain requirements, such as working a minimum number of hours per week. Just be aware of potential administrative hurdles and costs.
Health Reimbursement Arrangements: Similarly, you can offer health benefits or reimbursements for medical expenses at your discretion, but it’s not required unless they’re eligible for your existing health plan.
Wages and Fair Treatment: Offering competitive pay is a great way to attract and retain employees, especially if they won’t receive traditional benefits. Make sure to clearly communicate the terms of employment, including compensation during the active periods when they are on-call.
Payroll and Taxes: Don’t forget about payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and other employer obligations that come with hiring employees. It’s vital to stay compliant with both state and federal regulations.
Consult a Professional: Since employment laws can be complex and may vary by location, consider consulting an HR professional or employment attorney to ensure you’re following all necessary laws and regulations.
Ultimately, it’s commendable that you want to treat your potential employees fairly while balancing your own business needs. Good luck with your hiring process!
Great questions—thanks for sharing your thoughtful approach to hiring and compliance. When hiring on a per-project or on-call basis, it’s crucial to carefully consider whether those workers are classified as employees or independent contractors, as this impacts your obligations significantly. Generally, if you control their hours, schedule, and how they perform their work, they may lean more toward employee status, which would typically require providing benefits similar to your own, as well as adhering to employment laws like minimum wage, overtime, and workers’ comp.
In California, the classification test (based on ABC criteria) is quite strict, and misclassification can lead to substantial penalties. Given that your workers may work over 30 hours per week, and especially if their work is demand-based rather than purely seasonal, you might find that they qualify as employees under state law.
Regarding benefits, as an S-Corp, you’re only required to provide benefits to employees, not contractors. However, offering certain benefits can be a good way to attract quality workers and mitigate legal risks. Offering health insurance, Dental, and 401(k) contributions becomes relevant if they are classified as employees.
Lastly, for short-term, demand-based work, if the workers meet the criteria for independent contractor status (e.g., control over their work, working for multiple clients, supplying their own tools), a contractor arrangement could be beneficial and avoid some employment obligations. Just ensure you have a clear agreement, and that the relationship genuinely fits the contractor criteria.
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