Contract work regulations in Massachusetts

[Evelyn Lee Barney <evbarney -at- comcast -dot- net>]

My son was working for a web marketing firm here in western MA.  He was 
laid off in January.  He was collecting unemployment insurance, but was 
recently offered a job at a textbook editing company.   He's a hard 
worker, and not a whiner as a rule - but it seems they are treating him 
quite badly: demeaning, insulting etc . . .  some direct, but more often 
indirect such as talking very loudly near him but not to him about how 
everyone who applied for work there though Craig's List was a "looser" 
(even to the point of likening them to "Octo Mom" - whatever THAT has to 
do with anything!)   As you likely have guessed, my son found the job on 
Craig's List. As I understand it, since he is a healthy white male, this 
may be harassment but not illegal harassment.

He started working without any paperwork being signed.  (He only started 
in the middle of last week - but says the writing on the wall is that it 
isn't going to get better) Today, he was given paperwork to sign at home 
and bring back tomorrow. This paperwork says he is a CONSULTANT - an 
independent contractor - (IOW: dealing with the taxes and all of the 
FICA are on him) and no one had said anything to him about that status 
before. To me, that seems shady at the very least.   According to MA 
statues on employee vs. contractor - it seems he's an EMPLOYEE. They 
control his hours, he works in their offices, he is directly supervised 
and so on.

There are few other jobs right now in the area, not even pumping gas. 
And, his hours are such that looking for another job is very difficult.  
They keep him on a very tight leash (8 am - 4:30 pm with one 1/2 break, 
unpaid, mid day - during which he has been  unable to get anyone who may 
be able to answer questions on the phone. Seems like they are at lunch 
too.)

So - here are the questions for those of you who have done contract work 
AND dealt with Massachusetts:

Isn't it questionable to hire him, and tell him he's a contractor after 
the fact?

If he tells them he won't sign the contract because it conflicts with 
their verbal agreement (contract work was not mentioned) and they tell 
him to take a hike, how are the people at the Unemployment Office likely 
to view this?

My son lives in his own place (rental) and I have since downsized and 
have no room for him - I can pay his rent next month but may be out for 
work for the summer myself.

Any advice is welcome.  The boy is a mess!

Thanks,

Ev
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