[Foundation-l] Election rules modification regardingsuffrageissues raised on this list

[Mike Godwin]

Anthony writes:

> That's what I was thinking.  Classifying a worker as a contractor who
> holds substantially the same position as another worker you classify
> as an employee, is a good way to rack up a hefty bill with the IRS
> (for employment taxes, penalties, and interest).


The Foundation has spent a significant amount of time and money over  
the last 10 months reviewing precisely these issues (both internally  
and in consultation with outside counsel), and we're taking pains to  
be compliant with IRS regs and various state and federal labor-law  
requirements. It's complicated work, but we're not quite dumb enough  
simply to classify employees as contractors just for convenience.

That said, the outside contractors who are also community members seem  
to me to be particularly well-qualified and well-informed enough to  
vote in Board elections, if they choose to do so.  Even if they  
conduct the bulk of their work outside the office (they are, in fact,  
outside the USA altogether).


--Mike