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Hello, I've been working as a contract worker for the same company since 1989. I am an insurance appraiser working on piece work,paid per inspection.This is the only company that I worked for. I have never had a written contract, received vacation pay, never had deductions taken off for pension or employment insurance. I have all my pay stubs since 1992. The company was bought in 2011 by a much larger company and I'm still regarded as a contract worker. I earned one of the highest commission rates and now my work load is dwindling away.I am not sure if this is due to lack of incoming inspection requests or if the company is choosing to assign the reports to other contractors. It was brought to my attention that other contractors are now working in my area.These contractors are travelling over 70 kms to work in the territory usually assigned to me, I would be travelling less than 10 kms to service the area. Today I have 6 request on hand where I would generally have 40 to 60 inspections to complete. At this point I feel that I will not be working for this company much longer if I do not receive reports to complete. Do I have any course of action? You advice would be appreciated.

You are likely considered in the eyes of the law to be a 'dependent contractor'. That means that if the company lets you go, you would be entitled to compensation (ie severance). If your workload has been relatively consistent up until now, and now they have reduced it significantly, they may be in breach of contract which would allow you to leave and claim your severance. Do not resign without speaking to me first.
Lior Samfiru
The Lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP
Direct Tel (Toll Free): 1-855-821-5900     Email: webquestions@stlawyers.ca     Web: www.stlawyers.ca
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