Anonymous
03/19/2025 07:01
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
Yes! I've been doing this kind of work for years and always upset because a lot of the companies can't offer work in DC. Recently, I read that is because of alot of burdensome paperwork and employer requirements.
Nah, that doesn't even make sense if OP is legitimately an independent contractor -- that means they are not an employee, so that stuff wouldn't apply.
They just don't want to hire you.
If I'm correct, OP is referring to the type of remote/gig work you find on websites like Rat Race Rebellion, remote.co, etc. Customer service, chat, etc. These companies will hire in MD and VA, but almost NEVER in DC. So, I know exactly what OP is referring to--it's not BS.
Why? What's different about DC?
Labor law is much more onerous in DC. OP should move to Arlington, still urban, still on Metro, less onerous labor law (and lower income tax).
Anonymous
03/18/2025 21:23
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
Yes! I've been doing this kind of work for years and always upset because a lot of the companies can't offer work in DC. Recently, I read that is because of alot of burdensome paperwork and employer requirements.
Nah, that doesn't even make sense if OP is legitimately an independent contractor -- that means they are not an employee, so that stuff wouldn't apply.
They just don't want to hire you.
If I'm correct, OP is referring to the type of remote/gig work you find on websites like Rat Race Rebellion, remote.co, etc. Customer service, chat, etc. These companies will hire in MD and VA, but almost NEVER in DC. So, I know exactly what OP is referring to--it's not BS.
OP. Yes - that is what exactly what I am talking about. Thank you for chiming in.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 15:35
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
Yes! I've been doing this kind of work for years and always upset because a lot of the companies can't offer work in DC. Recently, I read that is because of alot of burdensome paperwork and employer requirements.
Nah, that doesn't even make sense if OP is legitimately an independent contractor -- that means they are not an employee, so that stuff wouldn't apply.
They just don't want to hire you.
If I'm correct, OP is referring to the type of remote/gig work you find on websites like Rat Race Rebellion, remote.co, etc. Customer service, chat, etc. These companies will hire in MD and VA, but almost NEVER in DC. So, I know exactly what OP is referring to--it's not BS.
Why? What's different about DC?
Anonymous
03/18/2025 10:07
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
Yes! I've been doing this kind of work for years and always upset because a lot of the companies can't offer work in DC. Recently, I read that is because of alot of burdensome paperwork and employer requirements.
Nah, that doesn't even make sense if OP is legitimately an independent contractor -- that means they are not an employee, so that stuff wouldn't apply.
They just don't want to hire you.
If I'm correct, OP is referring to the type of remote/gig work you find on websites like Rat Race Rebellion, remote.co, etc. Customer service, chat, etc. These companies will hire in MD and VA, but almost NEVER in DC. So, I know exactly what OP is referring to--it's not BS.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 08:37
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
absolute BS. I am assuming you mean contractors based in MD or VA?
DC residents have been working for private employers forever. Also, dc has a tax treaty with DC and MD whereby the employee is taxed in the district of residence, not in the district where they work. So if you live in DC and work for a MD employer you pay DC tax and file in DC only.
any "labor regulations" that DC has that the other state does not have would not apply. labor regulations regulate the employer, so a DC employee who works for a MD company (which has no offices in DC) would not be subject to DC employment law.
They would be subject to DC law if that employee is working from home.
At my company, our insurance costs went up when we hired a WFH employee based in NJ. They have higher requirements for some stuff than VA I guess.
But OP is looking for contract or gig work so insurance costs do not apply here.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 08:37
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
This makes no sense if you are a contractor or gig worker. Any cumbersome tax regulations have to do with full-time employees on your payroll. If you are a contractor, you're responsible for your own tax situation.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 08:01
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Yes. Lots of fully remote positions are not offered to DC residents because colonies don't want to deal with those labor laws- fmla extensions etc.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 08:01
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
absolute BS. I am assuming you mean contractors based in MD or VA?
DC residents have been working for private employers forever. Also, dc has a tax treaty with DC and MD whereby the employee is taxed in the district of residence, not in the district where they work. So if you live in DC and work for a MD employer you pay DC tax and file in DC only.
any "labor regulations" that DC has that the other state does not have would not apply. labor regulations regulate the employer, so a DC employee who works for a MD company (which has no offices in DC) would not be subject to DC employment law.
They would be subject to DC law if that employee is working from home.
At my company, our insurance costs went up when we hired a WFH employee based in NJ. They have higher requirements for some stuff than VA I guess.
okay, so the insurance company is worried. Maybe that is the sole reason OP is not getting hired.
but I don't think the Courts have decided that issue yet. As far as I know, an employee who works outside of the district from home could raise DC claims against a DC based employer, but as to the issue of whether a DC based WFH employee working for an out of state employer (who has no other offices in DC) could raise DC law based claims against the out of state employer, I don't think the courts have decided that. So maybe OP's company just doesn't want to take the risk.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 07:55
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
Yes! I've been doing this kind of work for years and always upset because a lot of the companies can't offer work in DC. Recently, I read that is because of alot of burdensome paperwork and employer requirements.
Nah, that doesn't even make sense if OP is legitimately an independent contractor -- that means they are not an employee, so that stuff wouldn't apply.
They just don't want to hire you.
This. employment laws don't generally apply to independent contractors. So if you are an independent contractor that would not apply.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 07:54
Subject: Re:trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
OP, your solution is to create an LLC, then your residency doesn't matter.
Anonymous
03/18/2025 07:54
Subject: trouble finding gig / contractor roles while a DC resident
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've been applying for gig / contractor jobs left & right, and getting absolutely no response. I finally got through to a recruiting team directly last week and was told that DC has "tax and labor regulations that impact many corporations' hiring policies" and that many corporations simply cannot meet the requirements.
I suppose it makes me feel a bit better, as in it is not necessarily *me*, per se, that is a horrid candidate but ... still isn't great.
Anyone else encounter this?
absolute BS. I am assuming you mean contractors based in MD or VA?
DC residents have been working for private employers forever. Also, dc has a tax treaty with DC and MD whereby the employee is taxed in the district of residence, not in the district where they work. So if you live in DC and work for a MD employer you pay DC tax and file in DC only.
any "labor regulations" that DC has that the other state does not have would not apply. labor regulations regulate the employer, so a DC employee who works for a MD company (which has no offices in DC) would not be subject to DC employment law.
They would be subject to DC law if that employee is working from home.
At my company, our insurance costs went up when we hired a WFH employee based in NJ. They have higher requirements for some stuff than VA I guess.