I work for a small business that hires independent contractors as young as 13 to work catering positions at special events, including those which have alcohol being served. I work in the business' office and see all the paperwork that filters through. All of these independent contractors sign up to work events and are paid by the hour. They typically receive a check at the end of each event. I am still an independent contractor even though I work 30-40 hours per week since January 2023. The owners have no understanding of the legality surrounding independent contractors and employees, the differences between the two, etc.
I have witnessed many child labor violations since I started working in the office. Children 13 years of age are hired as independent contractors. This is not allowed for the work they are hired for, nor can they be an independent contractor. They are working longer hours, past 7pm, than allowed with no breaks. We had a 13 year old working a wedding that didn't end until after 10pm. I reminded the owners that the 13 year old would need a break. They shrugged it off and didn't address my concerns.
Children between 14-15 are subjected to everything I wrote above. We also have never, to my knowledge, collected Work Permits or parental permission for these kids to work.
I brought this up to the office manager today. I told this person that I was planning on informing the two owners of my concerns, mostly as a CYA for myself. I'm seriously considering filing a complaint, but I also am not finding a ton of information about protections for employees, or independent contractors, for ratting out their employers.