A real question from r/WorkersRights that deserves a real answer. Not generic advice — specific steps.
A few things that feel out of line with what my rights are, are what I'll list below. Help with any of these points would be very appreciated 1. Unpaid daily meetings. 9am-10am we have mandatory unpaid meetings. (Even on days off I have had to attend these meetings.) If I am late to one then my employer will nonstop call me and will sometimes send texts in our group chat that feel manipulative such as "whoever was here on time gets $20 added to their paycheck. The rest of you need to do better." which seems great for whoever's on time but very manipulative and punishing to those that aren't. 2. Scheduling. I have asked for days off and in a whiney voice my employer has said "nooo we need you" or "lets talk about it later because I have no one else to work that day" (the conversation is a
As a W9 contractor in Oregon, you have the right to be paid for your work, receive proper tax documentation, and not be misclassified as an employee. Your employer must comply with labor laws regarding independent contractors.
I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with this frustrating situation with your boss. It's a common problem that far too many workers face, and it can be really disheartening. The core issue here is that some employers try to take advantage of workers by denying their basic rights, often counting on the fact that people don't fully understand what they're entitled to. The reality is, as an independent contractor (W9), you have certain protections under the law that your employer is required to uphold. Things like the right to take sick leave, reasonable accommodation for medical issues, and freedom from retaliation for asserting your rights. The reason some bosses try to deny these things is often that they want to maintain total control and maximize profits at the expense of their workers. The good news is, you don't have to just accept this mistreatment. The first step is to thoroughly document everything that's happening - get any denials or policy statements in writing, and keep a detailed record of dates, conversations, and any other relevant information. This "reality audit" will be crucial if you need to escalate things. Next, I'd suggest trying internal resolution by calmly but firmly pushing back with your boss. Refer to your rights under the law and see if you can get them to reconsider. If that doesn't work, you can escalate to HR or a government agency like the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries to file a formal complaint. They have the power to investigate and enforce your rights. Ultimately, you have the law on your side here. When you stand up for yourself and use the right strategies, it shifts the balance of power away from the employer. That's the key to stopping this kind of exploitation and ensuring you get the fair treatment and respect you deserve as a worker.
FREE ACTION PLAN
Drop your email and we'll send you the 7-step action plan from The Workers Rights Playbook free.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.