Posted by Keystone/PA on 4/3/07 12:42pm
Msg #183537

Who is an Indep Contractor? Dress code emailed over from TC

Who is an Independent Contractor?
(per IRS: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html)
A general rule is that you, the payer, have the right to control or direct only the result of the work done by an independent contractor, and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result.

It is critical that you, the employer, correctly determine whether the individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors. Generally, you must withhold income taxes, withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, and pay unemployment tax on wages paid to an employee. You do not generally have to withhold or pay any taxes on payments to independent contractors.

Caution: If you incorrectly classify an employee as an independent contractor, you can be held liable for employment taxes for that worker, plus a penalty.

Original Message: Dress code emailed over from TC Posted by NCLisa of NC on 4/2/07 5:45pm Msg #183407

Just got a required dress code sent over from a TC I do lots of business with. It says that women are required to wear dresses or skirts and pantyhose. Women are also required to wear "full" makeup. I almost fell on the floor laughing at this. Men were required wear suit or sport slacks, and a shirt with collar, a tie is not required. I don't understand why the men are not required to wear full makeup?

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 4/3/07 1:05pm
Msg #183541

When I was a contract employee for GM, we all had to follow their corporate dress code or it was the door! I'm sure that their corp lawyers went over their dress code with a fine tooth comb before it was published and maybe the TC did also.

Of course, we still have the right to dress however we please and they have the right to not call us for jobs. Ultimately it is still our choice.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/3/07 2:03pm
Msg #183543

(reprint of previous post)

"Dorothy, I'm serious about this business, and have been for over four years - it's all I do.

I understand your well-taken points - and fully agree this is not a tennies, jeans and T-shirt job. But there are alot of 'nice' things a woman can wear and look professional without resorting to dresses. And stockings in some parts of the country are just not practical.

I believe makeup is a personal choice, and whether a woman chooses to wear it has nothing to do with 'looking professional,' it has to do with her choice. Requiring 'full makeup,' which I'm assuming is eye shadow and mascara; some sort of liquid base, rouge or blush, powder... well, I simply won't do that. It's uncomfortable, and doesn't look well on me. Some women, OTOH, like makeup and look great.

When I walk out the door, I'm confident that I represent my clients in a professional manner, and that my attire is appropriate for my area. I might have a different look if I were in a metropolitan area, but not much more conservative than I present here."

Requiring makeup, IMHO, is tantamount to saying, "Your natural face is unacceptable." I submit that clean and well-groomed does not necessitate the wearing of cosmetics, and a that a TC has no right to require cosmetic augmentation of my body in order to 'make me appear' to look professional. Of course, should it choose not to hire me, it's their loss, as I'm very good at what I do, regardless of what is or is not added to my face.

Cheers,
Susie

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 4/3/07 5:37pm
Msg #183576

Re: Who is an Indep Contractor?...I'm with Susie... n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/3/07 2:04pm
Msg #183544

Re: Who is an Indep Contractor? Dress code emailed over from

When I received a similar email, while I did think that it was a little overboard, did not think that asking the people they hire be dressed appropriately out of line. I have actually seen notaries show up in a tank top and shorts at a title company expecting to be put on their list. There are even notaries on this and other sites that have pictures of themselves in t-shirts. Unbelievable. I occasionally get called by a local title company to fill in and I do wear a shirt and tie. That was the main reason I continue to get called from them .. not any special skills I have. When I am in the field, then it is a collared golf shirt and dress slacks. When notaries are on the job, business casual should be the minimum requirement. I have been given the excuse that they can't afford it, but their designer tank top and designer shorts and thongs were more expensive than a generic business casual outfit at one of the big box stores. That first impression can be a real killer. Ask any person who works in the HR department of any company ......

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/3/07 2:05pm
Msg #183545

Re: Who is an Indep Contractor? Dress code emailed over from

That being said, the makeup thing was out of line. Many persons are allergic also ......

Reply by Scott_IN on 4/3/07 2:14pm
Msg #183546

Re: Who is an Indep Contractor? Dress code emailed over from

Well said Susan, I completely agree with your comments. Professional should not require Makeup.

Reply by ewing2surf on 4/3/07 5:12pm
Msg #183574

My preference is to try to leave no lasting impression other than clean, neat and quick.

We always spend a few minutes on this subject in NSA class. Business casual for the Guys as defined by me and "professional" for the Gals with some frank discussion as to how a lot of makeup, dress or lack of and perfume can slow down a signing. I think the full makeup, short skirt, low top and especially the perfume distract from the signing in a mixed setting. Some areas of the country (Dallas is the only example I can think of) women are not thought of as business like unless they paint it and puff it up. But I think you know what I mean.

Reply by Becca_FL on 4/3/07 9:24pm
Msg #183603

Message Deleted

This message has been deleted by a forum moderator.

Reason: Abusive

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 4/3/07 10:06pm
Msg #183611

Troll! Took the words out of my mouth, Becca n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 4/3/07 10:27pm
Msg #183614

Message Deleted

This message has been deleted by a forum moderator.

Reason: Abusive

Reply by Becca_FL on 4/3/07 9:44pm
Msg #183606

BTW Joe, Are you using Just for Men now or

are you posting an old picture? Just wondering.

Reply by MaineNotary on 4/4/07 1:33pm
Msg #183680

Re: Who is an Indep Contractor? Dress code emailed over from

SSs [read CLOTHES NAZIS] dictating how we dress is a hoot. If you don't have common sense about appropriate attire for notary signings, or any other event or occasion, you aren't likely to "get it" from an SS.

Heels, dresses, and full makeup? Puh-leeeeeze. This is Maine. We have mud season, overflowing rivers and streams in early spring, roads that imminent wash-outs, ice storms, and blizzards. We drive over rural roads with frost heave that provide unasked for readjustment to your spine and ruts as deep as the Grand Canyon which provide unasked for realignment to our wheels. Our temps dip well below zero and then there is the WIND. How does one apply make up on a frostbitten face??? Oh yes, bring me my Chanel suit, Gucci stiletto heels, smear me in Lancome, and I'm good to go. NOT.

We dress appropriately for the weather here. If I waltzed up to a borrower's home for a signing in the driving rain with mud up to my ankles when I got out of the car, the Mainer in the house would probably send me packing as I didn't have the common sense as to how to dress in Maine.

No doubt my notary cousins in rural areas of the northern climes are nodding their heads. My hope is that the SS's in those warm and fuzzy climates who are sitting on their duffs sipping their cocktail du jour by the pool will PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THOSE DUFFS AND GET REAL.

As I look out my window, I see 2" of fresh, wet delightful snow on my deck and lawn. We're forecast for 6-12 inches overnight, ladies and gentlemen. T'ain't high heel weather, me darlin's.

Happy spring.

As we say up there in Maine, "if you can't stay through the winters, then you don't deserve the summers."