Misclassification of workers – UI

Employee misclassification occurs when an employer either (1) fails to report its employees to the state and pays them off-the-books or (2) improperly classifies its workers as independent contractors when they meet the legal standards for classification as employees. Misclassifying workers can have a severe impact on workers and employers in industries where the practice prevails. For employers, it creates an unfair economic advantage and imposes higher costs on responsible employers. This makes them less competitive and more likely to be underbid by businesses that intentionally misclassify workers. For workers, it affects working conditions by encouraging unscrupulous employers to ignore labor protections, such as wage and hour requirements and safety and health regulations. We need your help to keep the system fair and equitable for everyone. If you are aware of any employer committing fraud, you may report it anonymously by contacting the New York State Department of Labor, Liability and Determination, Fraud Unit, by any of these methods:

Visit New York State Department of Labor’s website at dol.ny.gov

Call 1-866-435-1499 24 hours a day or 518-485-2144 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM

Fax information to 518-457-0024

Report by mail to: