TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Employment Status From:Rowena Hart <rhart -at- INTRINSYC -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 5 May 1998 14:19:49 -0700
Interesting situation. Here's my own little story:
I worked at a small start-up a while back, and they also tried to play shell
games about my contract/employee status to avoid paying taxes.
I was hired as an employee and worked at the company for four months. I had
taxes deducted from each paycheque during that period. When the time came
to move on, the accountant told me that he was going to write me a check for
all of my deductions. He said that I just had to keep the money in my
savings account and use it to pay my taxes later in the year. He said it
would save me money.
The accountant was trying to retroactively make me a contractor, of course.
When I talked to Revenue Canada about this, they were VERY interested in
having me file a formal complaint so they could investigate the company. I
didn't do this, of course, but I did use information as leverage, both when
the accountant tried to pressure me into taking the cheque for my
deductions, and when he refused to issue a statement of employment.
- Rowena
---------------------
Rowena Hart
Technical Writer
Intrinsyc Software, Inc. http://www.intrinsyc.com
