What is a contractor?

Contractor

A contractor is a person or business engaged directly by a company while having no employment relationship with that company.

Because a contractor is not an employee, they are not afforded certain rights and obligations. The employer of a contractor is also relieved of some duties and responsibilities that it would have if the contractor were an employee.

Disclaimer: This article and all information in it is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice. You should consult with a qualified legal or tax professional for advice regarding any legal or tax matter and prior to acting (or refraining from acting) on the basis of any information provided on this website.

Related Terms

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) contractor

Non-compete agreement

Global contractor

Independent contractor

About Oyster

Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, hire, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.

Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.