HR.BLR.com (03/27/12)

The U.S. Department of Labor in February signed an agreement with
California secretary of labor Marty Morgenstern regarding the
improper classification of employees as independent contractors.
The agreement is part of the DOL’s Misclassification
Initiative, which was launched with the goal of preventing,
detecting, and remedying employee misclassification.

Under the agreement, DOL and the state will share information;
coordinate enforcement efforts; and establish a method for
exchanging investigative leads, complaints, and referrals of
possible violations. The agreement will facilitate the exchange
of statistical data on the incidence of violations of specific
industries and geographic areas. The two agencies can also
conduct joint investigations. Eleven other states have also
signed agreements with DOL.