Washington Independent Contractor or Covered Worker is a classification of employees who are not eligible for the same rights and protections as regular employees. Independent contractors are not protected by the state's workers' compensation laws, minimum wage laws, or overtime laws. They cannot collect unemployment benefits or be covered by employer-provided health insurance. However, they may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits if their wages are reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Types of Washington Independent Contractor or Covered Worker include freelance workers, independent contractors, subcontractors, and gig workers. These workers are typically hired to complete a specific task or job and are not considered regular employees. They are not eligible for the same benefits that regular employees are, such as health insurance, paid time off, or workers' compensation. However, they may be able to receive unemployment benefits if their wages are reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.




