Replying to a message of Shawn Highfield to Bob Ackley:

 SH> Hello Bob!

 BA>> Aha!  The old 'independent contractor' dodge.  You don't *work* for 
 BA>> the cab company (and thus they don't have to pay unemployment,
 BA>> workmen's  comp, etc.,

 SH>   Exactly.  I've been having a hard time thinking of how to explain
 SH> that.  

 BA>> or have anything to do with the tax people - or, FTM, a salary, 
 BA>> benefits, etc.),
 BA>> you *rent* their cab.  A lot of other businesses are using that 
 BA>> business model.

 SH>   Unfortunaly this is true.  I had an interview with an insurance
 SH> comany and believe it or not it was the same way.   You rented your
 SH> desk from them and were an indie contractor.  Of course you couldn't
 SH> work for anyone else...   Seems to be the way companys are
 SH> going.

You can thank your all-wise, all-powerful government for that state of
affairs.  All those various rules, regulations, taxes and whatever-else
paperwork is involved in the hiring (and firing) process almost force
employers to avoid hiring anyone (and/or move the jobs to someplace where
they're not in effect - like Bangladesh).  The 'independent contractor'
dodge is one strategy used, the use of 'temps' (temporary employees) is
another.  I think France is having similar problems due to their laws and
work rules; apparently once hired there it's almost impossible for the
employer to fire you - sort of like civil service in this country.

--- FleetStreet 1.19+