Connecticut hr independent contractor agreement template

Connecticut HR Independent Contractor Agreement

This Connecticut HR Independent Contractor Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of [Effective Date] by and between:

[Client Legal Name], a [Client Business Entity Type] with a principal place of business at [Client Address], hereinafter referred to as "Client," and

[Contractor Legal Name], a [Contractor Business Entity Type] with a principal place of business/mailing address at [Contractor Address], hereinafter referred to as "Contractor."

1. Scope of Services

Contractor agrees to provide the following HR services to Client in accordance with Connecticut law:

Option A: Recruiting Services

Full-cycle recruitment for [Job Title(s)], including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and background checks in compliance with Connecticut law.

Compliance with Connecticut's "Ban the Box" law regarding criminal history inquiries.

Option B: Employee Onboarding

Developing and implementing onboarding programs compliant with Connecticut employment laws.

Ensuring completion of required state and federal employment forms.

Option C: Policy Development

Drafting and revising employee handbooks to comply with current Connecticut statutes and regulations.

Creating workplace policies regarding anti-discrimination, harassment, and other protected characteristics under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA).

Option D: Training

Delivering training programs on topics such as sexual harassment prevention (required under Connecticut law for employers with 3 or more employees), diversity and inclusion, and workplace safety.

Option E: Compliance Audits

Conducting wage and hour audits to ensure compliance with Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) standards.

Reviewing personnel files for compliance with Connecticut General Statutes § 31-128a–§ 31-128i regarding employee health and personnel record privacy.

Option F: Workplace Investigations

Providing support with workplace investigations, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing written reports.

Option G: Compliance Consulting

Advising on compliance with applicable state and federal statutes, including Title VII, CFEPA, FMLA, and Connecticut Paid Leave.

Option H: Unemployment/Benefits Support

Handling unemployment claim responses and representation at hearings before the Connecticut Department of Labor.

Assisting with employee benefit administration.

Option I: Deliverables, Standards, Schedule

Specific deliverables are outlined in [Exhibit A], including performance standards, service levels, reporting formats, and schedule/milestones.

Compliance reviews will be conducted [Frequency] and in the manner specified in [Exhibit A].

2. Place of Service Delivery

The services will be performed:

Option A: Remotely

Option B: At Client's Connecticut office located at [Client Address]

Option C: At third-party locations as needed.

Contractor will have access to Client's workplace as needed, subject to Client's security and data privacy policies, including expectations under Connecticut data protection laws. Contractor will use [List tools/resources provided by Client] for service delivery.

3. Compensation

Client shall compensate Contractor as follows:

Option A: Hourly Rate: [Hourly Rate] per hour.

Option B: Project-Based: [Project Fee] per project as defined in [Exhibit A].

Option C: Retainer: [Retainer Amount] per [Frequency, e.g., month].

Reimbursable expenses: Contractor will be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses as outlined in [Expense Policy Document/Section], subject to Connecticut labor practices. Invoices must include detailed documentation.

Payment schedule: Client will pay Contractor within [Number] days of receipt of a valid invoice. Method of payment will be [Payment Method].

Invoices must include: [Required Invoice Information].

Contractor is responsible for the collection and remittance of any applicable Connecticut sales/use tax.

4. Independent Contractor Status

Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee of Client. This Agreement does not create an employer-employee relationship. Contractor is not entitled to any employee benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, paid time off, or retirement benefits. Client will not withhold payroll taxes from Contractor's compensation. Contractor is responsible for all federal and Connecticut state/local tax filings, including business registration requirements. Contractor acknowledges that they are not eligible for Connecticut unemployment insurance. The Connecticut ABC Test confirms Contractor's independent status. Client will not be responsible for employment taxes, insurance, or benefits.

5. Confidentiality and Data Privacy

Contractor acknowledges that they may have access to confidential information, including employee personal data. Contractor agrees to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to comply with all applicable Connecticut data protection laws, including Connecticut General Statutes § 31-128a–§ 31-128i. The obligations of confidentiality shall continue for [Number] years after the termination of this Agreement. Contractor agrees to adhere to Client’s policies regarding data privacy, outlined in [Policy document name or section], and to report any breaches immediately.

6. Ownership of Work Product

Option A: Client shall own all right, title, and interest in and to all work product created by Contractor under this Agreement.

Option B: Contractor shall retain ownership of the work product, but grants Client a limited license to use the work product for [Permitted Uses].

This includes training materials, policies, forms, and documentation developed. Contractor hereby assigns all intellectual property rights to the Client.

7. Conflict of Interest, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Competition

During the term of this Agreement and for a period of [Number] months/years following termination, Contractor shall not:

Engage in any activity that conflicts with the interests of Client.

Solicit or attempt to solicit any employee of Client to terminate their employment.

Solicit or attempt to solicit any client of Client to discontinue their business relationship.

The geographic scope of this non-competition provision is limited to [Geographic Area]. These restrictions comply with Connecticut General Statutes § 35-51 and related case law.

8. Insurance

Contractor shall maintain the following insurance policies:

Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions) insurance: [Amount].

General Liability insurance: [Amount].

Contractor warrants that they are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut, or they provide a waiver of workers' compensation coverage, if applicable. Proof of insurance shall be provided to Client upon request.

9. Liability, Indemnification, and Remedies

Contractor shall be liable for any damages caused by their negligence or breach of this Agreement. Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Client from any claims, losses, or expenses arising out of Contractor's performance of services under this Agreement, including but not limited to claims arising from substandard service, failure to comply with Connecticut employment laws, mishandling of personal data, documentation errors, or missed deadlines. Remedies for breach of contract include [List Remedies]. Contractor shall indemnify Client for any employment law compliance failures traceable to Contractor’s error.

10. Term and Termination

The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] and shall continue for a period of [Duration].

Option A: Automatic Renewal: This agreement will automatically renew for successive periods of [Renewal Period] unless either party provides written notice of termination at least [Number] days prior to the end of the then-current term.

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon [Number] days written notice. Client may terminate this Agreement immediately for cause, including but not limited to breach of contract, violations of law, or gross misconduct. Upon termination, Contractor shall provide Client with a final invoice and handover all deliverables.

11. Records Retention and Access

Contractor shall maintain all HR records and notes in compliance with Connecticut retention statutes (e.g., at least 3 years for wage records) and shall transfer such records to Client upon request. Upon termination of this Agreement, Contractor shall return or destroy all Client information.

12. Representation and Compliance Warranty

Contractor warrants that they are properly registered to do business in Connecticut, comply with all licensure/certification requirements for HR services, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of and compliance with Connecticut labor/employment/regulatory law throughout the term of this Agreement.

13. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved as follows:

First, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation.

If negotiation fails, the parties agree to submit the dispute to mediation in Connecticut.

If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration in Connecticut.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut. Venue for any legal action shall be in [County Name] County, Connecticut.

14. Public Policy Disclosures

Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal and state regulations for HR consulting, including but not limited to equal pay laws, "Ban the Box" laws, and paid leave laws. This Agreement incorporates mandatory anti-discrimination language as required by Connecticut law.

15. Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written. No prior agreements or representations are binding unless included herein. Any amendments to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized signatories in Connecticut.

16. Miscellaneous Provisions

Assignment: This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.

Force Majeure: Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement due to any cause beyond its reasonable control.

Waiver: No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the waiving party.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Notice: All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, sent by certified mail, or sent by email to the addresses set forth above.

17. Legal Updates

Contractor agrees to provide Client with periodic legal updates relevant to HR compliance in Connecticut as part of service deliverables, if requested by the Client.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

[Client Legal Name]

By: [Client Authorized Name]

Title: [Client Title]

[Contractor Legal Name]

By: [Contractor Name]

Title: [Contractor Title]