Florida’s independent workforce is massive: Nearly 890,000 documented independent contractors represent a vital and growing segment of Florida’s labor force. Independent contractors make up a larger portion of Florida’s workforce than in any other state, including California, Texas, and New York.
The Issue: Current law creates a harmful paradox: offering benefits to contractors can trigger reclassification as employees, exposing businesses to severe penalties. This regulatory framework forces millions of independent workers to choose between the flexibility they value and critical protections like health insurance and retirement savings. By linking benefit access to employment status, our laws inadvertently penalize contractors seeking both autonomy and security in today’s evolving workforce landscape.
