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# independent contractor

phrase (noun phrase: an independent contractor, independent contractors)

«independent contractor» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, official, mainly US) a person who works for a company but is not counted as an employee, so they may get no sick pay, holidays or other benefits.
2. (literal) a self-employed person who does jobs for different clients.

### In the lessons

Used by companies and in contracts; sometimes it is honest, but sometimes it hides that a worker does a full job without the rights of an employee. Gig-economy drivers and delivery riders are often called this. Register: official, legal, business; mainly US.

### Examples

- She works as an independent contractor for three magazines.
- The delivery app calls its riders independent contractors.
- News: A court ruled the drivers were employees, not independent contractors.
- As an independent contractor, Dad pays his own taxes.
- The builder is an independent contractor, not part of the council staff.
- Chat: «independent contractor» = no sick days lol

### Note

It is not the same as a regular job with benefits. Whether it is fair depends on whether the person really is free to choose clients. Plain words: a worker without employee rights, or a self-employed person.