The national trend toward independent contractors and gig jobs doesn't show any sign of slowing. That means we're likely to see a lot more workers with job-related injuries who can't claim workers' compensation. But what goes for the nation doesn't always hold for Wisconsin.
Governor Evers recently created a new task force to police payroll fraud and worker misclassification. Employers often try to save money by calling people independent contractors when they should really be employees. They might do this to get off the hook for employee benefits like vacation time, health insurance and workers' compensation. But you don't stop being an employee just because your employer calls you something else.
Are some injuries not submitted to work comp?: Those of us dealing daily with injured workers have long suspected that many work injuries go unreported for a variety of reasons. Workers with access to health care insurance with a low deductible may choose to file with group health instead of workers' compensation. Workers with other wage replacement benefits (such as short-term disability) may also choose not to file for workers' compensation. Employer intimidation through both overt and covert suggestions or directives not to file for workers' compensation also applies. The stigma and the loss of bonuses or overtime pay is another contributing factor to non-filing for workers' compensation..
