[Jima64]

Originally Posted by mulligan

The biggest problem with all of the lawn people is that they don't have employees. They have independent contractors that get paid by the job, have no benefits, no worker's comp if they are injured at work, no taxes taken out of their weekly checks, and can't collect unemployment if they are let go. Some contractors will show you an exemption certificate for worker's comp, nice for the contractor, but it does not protect the homeowner or the worker if there is an injury on the job. Lets face it. You don't have to be the brightest bulb to push a lawnmower, and it doesn't cost the contractor a dime to change people like he changes his socks. Until the laborers demand to be classified correctly, as employees, we will continue to deal with all of the current problems.

The state has been going after pest control companies for years that have employees classified as private contractors. Maybe it is time to focus on the lawn companies also.