Iowa hr independent contractor agreement template

Iowa HR Independent Contractor Agreement

This Iowa HR Independent Contractor Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this [Date] by and between:

• [Company Name], a [State] [Entity Type, e.g., Corporation] with its principal place of business at [Company Address] (“Client”), and
• [Contractor Name], residing at [Contractor Address] (“Contractor”).

1. Scope of Services

Contractor agrees to provide the following HR services to Client:

• Option A: Talent Acquisition/Recruitment:
  • [Specify details, e.g., sourcing candidates, screening resumes, conducting interviews for [Job Titles], managing the applicant tracking system].
• Option B: Onboarding:
  • [Specify details, e.g., preparing offer letters, completing paperwork, conducting new hire orientations].
• Option C: Employee Benefits Administration:
  • [Specify details, e.g., assisting with enrollment, answering employee questions about benefits, managing vendor relationships].
• Option D: Payroll Processing Assistance:
  • [Specify details, e.g., gathering payroll data, generating reports, supporting payroll vendor communications (Note: this does NOT include independent payroll responsibilities, as applicable by law)].
• Option E: Policy Drafting:
  • [Specify details, e.g., drafting employee handbooks, developing specific HR policies, ensuring compliance with Iowa law].
• Option F: Performance Management Consulting:
  • [Specify details, e.g., developing performance review processes, training managers on performance feedback, assisting with performance improvement plans].
• Option G: Compliance Training:
  • [Specify details, e.g., developing and delivering training programs on harassment prevention, diversity and inclusion, ethics, and other compliance topics].
• Option H: Employee Relations Support:
  • [Specify details, e.g., providing guidance to managers on employee relations issues, conducting investigations, mediating disputes].
• Option I: Investigations:
  • [Specify details, e.g., Conducting impartial investigations into employee complaints and concerns, documenting findings, and providing recommendations].
• Option J: Workforce Analytics:
  • [Specify details, e.g., gathering and analyzing HR data, creating reports on key HR metrics, identifying trends and insights].

2. Deliverables and Performance Standards

Contractor will provide the following specific deliverables:

• [List specific deliverables, e.g., Completed onboarding packages, Drafted employee handbook sections, Monthly performance reports, etc.]
• Performance standards: [Specify measurable performance standards, e.g., Completion rate of onboarding packages, Accuracy of data entry, Timeliness of reporting].
• Key milestones: [Specify key milestones with completion dates, e.g., Completion of employee handbook by [Date], Implementation of new performance review process by [Date]].
• Reporting intervals: [Specify reporting frequency, e.g., Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly].
• Communication protocols: [Specify preferred communication methods and response times, e.g., Email response within 24 hours, Weekly phone calls].
• Required Documentation: [List required document submission standards, e.g., Timesheets, Expense reports, Project summaries].

3. Location of Service Delivery

• Option A: Onsite at Client's principal place of business.
• Option B: Remote.
• Option C: Hybrid: [Specify percentage of time spent on-site vs. remote].

Access requirements: [Specify any access requirements, e.g., Access to confidential areas, Client IT systems, Sensitive data, Background check requirements].

4. Compensation

• Option A: Hourly Rate: Contractor shall be paid at an hourly rate of [Dollar Amount] per hour.
• Option B: Project-Based Fee: Contractor shall be paid a fixed fee of [Dollar Amount] for the completion of the following project: [Project Description].
• Option C: Retainer: Client shall pay Contractor a monthly retainer fee of [Dollar Amount].
• Option D: Milestone Payment: Contractor shall be paid based on the following milestones: [Milestone 1: Dollar Amount, Milestone 2: Dollar Amount, etc.].

Payment schedule: [Specify payment schedule, e.g., Bi-weekly, Monthly, Upon completion of milestones]. Invoicing format: [Specify the required format of invoices, e.g., Itemized list of services, Date of service, Hourly rate or fixed fee, Total amount due]. Contractor is responsible for the payment of all applicable Iowa income and self-employment taxes, as well as sales tax, if relevant. Consult the Iowa Department of Revenue for guidance.

5. Ownership and Confidentiality

Client retains ownership of all data, documents, and work product created as a result of Contractor’s services. Contractor retains ownership of any pre-existing intellectual property used during the service. Contractor shall treat all client and employee information as confidential and shall comply with Iowa Code data privacy statutes. Contractor shall handle, store, and destroy personal and HR-related data securely in line with industry standards and relevant local/federal employment privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA if health data is accessed).

6. Independent Contractor Status

Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee of Client. No employment relationship exists between Client and Contractor. Contractor controls the method of work, supplies their own tools and is not eligible for Client employee benefits, unemployment insurance, or workers’ compensation (unless separately arranged per Iowa law). Contractor is responsible for all applicable self-employment taxes. Contractor acknowledges that this agreement is governed by Iowa Workforce Development guidelines and relevant state tests for independent contractor classification.

7. Insurance

Contractor shall maintain appropriate insurance, including professional liability/errors & omissions insurance. If required by Client or in certain settings, Contractor shall also maintain general liability insurance. Contractor shall provide Client with a certificate of insurance.

8. Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition

Contractor shall not solicit or attempt to hire Client's employees or solicit Client's customers for a period of [Number] [Months/Years] following the termination of this Agreement.

• Option A: Non-Compete Clause: Contractor shall not engage in any business that competes with Client's HR services within a [Number] mile radius of [City, State] for a period of [Number] [Months/Years] following the termination of this Agreement. This non-compete clause is narrowly tailored to HR services, reasonable under Iowa law (scope/duration/geography), and justifiable for the protection of Client's legitimate business interests.
• Option B: No Non-Compete Clause.

9. Compliance with Laws

Contractor shall comply with all applicable Iowa and federal labor and employment laws when providing services or making recommendations, including laws on workplace harassment, discrimination, wage and hour, and recordkeeping (such as Iowa Civil Rights Act, Iowa OSHA, and relevant federal statutes like FLSA, FMLA, and ADA).

10. Breach and Termination

• Breach: Material default includes, but is not limited to, willful information leaks, chronic late delivery, failure to follow reasonable Client requests, or unauthorized access/use of sensitive data.
• Remediation Period: In the event of a breach, Contractor shall have [Number] days to cure the breach.
• Termination for Cause: Client may terminate this Agreement for cause if Contractor materially breaches this Agreement.
• Termination for Convenience: Client may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon [Number] days written notice to Contractor.
• Obligations upon Termination: Upon termination, Contractor shall return or destroy all confidential information and property of Client and cooperate in handover and transition.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved through good-faith negotiation, followed by mediation or arbitration, if negotiation fails. Jurisdiction and venue shall be in the state courts of Iowa or an agreed arbitration forum.

12. Assignment and Subcontracting

Contractor shall not assign or delegate any services to any third party without Client's prior written approval. Any subcontractors or third parties must comply with confidentiality and insurance requirements.

13. Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.

14. Amendments

Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties.

15. Severability

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

16. Notices

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. Client Security Protocols

Contractor shall adhere to the following specific Client security protocols: [Specify Client security protocols, e.g., Background check mandates, Eligibility criteria for access to sensitive HR systems or data].

18. Ethics and Anti-Discrimination

Contractor declares adherence to Iowa’s ethics and anti-discrimination rules for HR professionals.

19. Conflict of Interest

Contractor shall not represent both Client and any competitor simultaneously and shall proactively disclose any potential conflicts of interest discovered mid-engagement.

20. Data Breach Notification

If handling sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) of employees, Contractor shall comply with Iowa-specific data breach notification rules.

21. Government Contracts

If services involve government contracts or public entities, Contractor shall comply with any additional Iowa procurement and HR compliance requirements (such as E-Verify participation if mandated for public contracts).

22. Client Cooperation

Client shall cooperate with Contractor and provide timely access to information, personnel, and systems necessary for Contractor to perform the services.

23. Legal Advice Disclaimer

If the service involves providing advice on employee classification or wage practices, Contractor shall reference relevant Iowa law and clarify that legal advice is not provided unless the Contractor is a licensed Iowa attorney.

24. Equipment

[Detail the status of personally owned equipment/data storage devices and their treatment at contract conclusion, e.g., Return of Client equipment, Secure wiping of data from Contractor's equipment]. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. [Company Name] By: [Name] Title: [Title] [Contractor Name] [Contractor Signature]