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Hiring Companies with Employees VS Independent Contractors

By January 18, 2018 May 11th, 2021 One Comment
Employee Dog Walker

Have you ever considered the framework of how a dog-walking or pet-sitting company operates or how it trains its new hires? Have you thought about how it treats its people to ensure happy, healthy, and invested service providers are entering your home to work with your pet?

A key ingredient in the quality of service a pet care company offers is its choice to hire employees or outsource work to independent contractors, and it iss something pet owners should seriously consider before hiring.

As a Pet Owner, Why Should You Care?

Between on-demand dog walking apps with flimsy training practices and a laundry list of horror stories, to companies who choose to evade the law of paying employment taxes, unemployment and workers’ compensation to fatten their bottom line, the reasons are compelling.

Let’s take a closer look at the critical differences between a company that contracts with independent contractors vs. a company that hires and retains employees.

By law, a pet service company that hires independent contractors CANNOT:

• Have an employee manual
• Provide specific rules or oversight to its contractors
• Monitor staff activity using GPS

By law, independent contractors who walk dogs:

• Must purchase their own insurance (which is unlikely considering the cost of coverage is often more than a week’s pay)
• Are free to adjust their schedules as they see fit
• May perform the service to their standards rather than the company they contract for

When selecting the company that provides care for your pet, it’s important to keep in mind the significant differences between independent contractors and employees. Be sure to ask any prospective dog-walking or pet-sitting company: “Does your company invest in employees or do you contract with independent contractors?”

Why Choose Chicago Pet Sitters for Your Pet Care Needs?

Chicago Pet Sitters proudly hires all employees. We pride ourselves on our hiring, training, continuing education and support for our sitters and office staff. Having the ability to set and enforce company standards and protocol helps ensure the quality of safety, happiness, and comfort that all of our clients and pets have come to depend on! Learn more about Chicago Pet Sitters for your dog walking and cat sitting services in Chicago. 

Dana

Dana

Dana earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 2001 and soon after started Chicago Pet Sitters. Today, she runs Chicago Pet Sitters with the help of her pups and an amazing group of dog walkers and pet sitters!