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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MGibster" data-source="post: 8333133" data-attributes="member: 4534">I remember years ago that a few RPG companies had ambassador programs where they had volunteers demonstrate their products at conventions/hobby shops in exchange for free or discounted products.  But a lot of those programs seem to have disappeared over the years.  (It looks like Steve Jackson Games still has their <a href="http://www.sjgames.com/mib/mibjoin.html" target="_blank">Men in Black</a> program.)  I was under the impression that these programs disappeared, in part, because of concerns over establishing an employee/employer relationship between the company and program participants.  Though perhaps there were other factors such as more effective means of getting word of their product out to the public with the advent of social media sites.  At work, I'm the jerk in HR who puts a stop to bringing aboard a contractor if we run into the risk of getting in trouble for a misclassification of an employee as an independent contractor.  The <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/13-flsa-employment-relationship" target="_blank">Department of Labor</a> did revise their fact sheet on how to determine the difference between a contractor and an employee back in 2008 based on what they call the following "significant" factors:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The extent to which the services rendered are an integral part of the principal's business.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The permanency of the relationship.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The amount of the alleged contractor's investment in facilities and equipment.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The nature and degree of control by the principal.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The alleged contractor's opportunities for profit and loss.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The amount of initiative, judgment, or foresight in open market competition with others required for the success of the claimed independent contractor.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"> The degree of independent business organization and operation.</li> </ol>What's notably absent from this list is mention of a formal employment agreement.  i.e. You can establish an employee/employer relationship without entering into a formal agreement.</blockquote>

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