I am licensed to provide a wellness service and work at a local establishment as a 1099 worker. So I’m technically a contractor instead of an employee. This is a classic example of hiring people as contractors but trying to treat them like salaried employees.
The main problem is that they assign you for 6 hour shifts but you don’t get paid unless you are actually working with a client. They also try to make you stay the length of your shift and do closing duties even if you don’t have a client. There is no way I’m following that rule and have been arriving late and leaving early if I don’t have a client. Not staying there if I’m not getting paid for it.
My question is this- can they legally retaliate for me leaving when I don’t have clients? Like could they fire me for that? Or does it depend on the state? (I’m in the US in the south).
Any insights would be appreciated!