Minimizing Wage and Hour Risks With an Evolving On Demand Workforce
Mitigating Claims Arising From the Use of "Gig Workers," Freelancers, Contractors and Interns
Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar with Q&A
This CLE course will equip employment counsel with the tools necessary to tackle increasing wage and hour liability risks companies face in the emerging “gig economy” with the rapidly growing use of “on demand” workers. The panel will evaluate the risks both traditional and app-based companies face when their workforce includes on demand workers, freelancers, interns or contractors, and offer strategies for avoiding or minimizing liability and potential claims.
Outline
- Potential areas of liability exposure with on demand workers, freelancers, contractors, interns
- Review of pending litigation against on demand companies
- Best practices for all companies on limiting liability for wage and hour claims
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What are the best practices for businesses to avoid misclassification claims of gig and similar workers?
- How can companies using on demand workers protect themselves against potential wage and hour claims without abandoning their innovative business model?
- What factors does the DOL consider when determining whether a worker is an “employee”—and what are solid arguments against employment status?
Faculty

Thomas M. McInerney
Office Managing Shareholder
Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart
Mr. McInerney has extensive employment litigation experience in complex litigation matters, with an emphasis on class... | Read More
Mr. McInerney has extensive employment litigation experience in complex litigation matters, with an emphasis on class actions, multi-plaintiff cases, and trade secret and other complex business disputes. He has tried to verdict several cases in both state and federal courts, and represents clients in a wide-range of fields, including technology, financial services, insurance, construction, energy/utility, healthcare, transportation and logistics, and personal services. He expertise is in dealing with complex or novel issues, including wage and hour class actions. Mr. McInerney is a frequent speaker on labor and employment topics.
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Jeffrey H. Ruzal
Senior Counsel
Epstein Becker and Green
Mr. Ruzal is a member of the firm's Wage and Hour Group and Co-Leads the firm’s Hospitality Strategic... | Read More
Mr. Ruzal is a member of the firm's Wage and Hour Group and Co-Leads the firm’s Hospitality Strategic Industry Group. He represents clients in such diverse industries as hospitality, financial services, retail, healthcare and technology. Mr. Ruzal litigates class actions and collective actions involving a variety of employment and wage-hour issues; provides counsel on, and defends against, federal and state department of labor investigations and enforcement actions; and provides advice and management training on wage and hour compliance, reductions in force, discrimination, and other employment issues. Mr. Ruzal is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of wage and hour topics.
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Robert S. Whitman
Partner
Seyfarth Shaw
Mr. Whitman is a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment Department with extensive experience representing... | Read More
Mr. Whitman is a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment Department with extensive experience representing management in the full range of employment law matters. He has particular experience in wage-hour litigation, employment arbitration, discrimination and non-compete matters, and preventive employment counseling. He was elected as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in 2014 and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Center for Labor and Employment Law at NYU Law School. Mr. Whitman has authored articles on employment law issues for a number of publications.
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