Employees and Contractors Reading Answers

Feb 18, 2023

Employees and Contractors Reading Answers comprises a total of 9 questions. This IELTS reading topic; Employees and Contractors Reading Answers comprises question types such as; no more than three words or a number. To solve these questions in the IELTS reading topic, candidates must go through the passage carefully and identify the major keywords. Employees and Contractors Reading Answers are to be solved by the candidates within a timeframe of 20 minutes which remains the same for all the IELTS Reading assessments. To practice more such IELTS reading topics, candidates can refer to the book Cambridge IELTS 10 Student's Book with Answers. Moreover, candidates might consider IELTS Reading practice papers to practice such relevant questions.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the following questions

Employees and Contractors Reading Answers

An employee is someone who performs work under a contract of employment. ldentifying who is, or is not, an employee has become an increasingly disputed area, with a number of different factors to be considered. Non- employees may be independent contractors' or 'sub- contractors' and are employed under a contract for services or even as agents representing a client business. The legal consequences of being an independent contractor are significantly different to those for employees. Only an employee 'can be covered by an award or make a workplace agreement. However, some cleaners, outworkers and some drivers of public passenger vehicles who might ordinarily be considered independent contractors are deemed to be employees under the Fair Work Act.

The rights and obligations of employees are very different to those who are self-employed. To distinguish between employees and independent contractors, the courts take into account a number of ' factors to determine what the real nature of a particular work relationship is. These factors may include: Control over work generally an employee works as directed by the employer whereas a contractor has a greater say in how the work is to be done.

Payment-employees are usually paid on the basis of an hourly rate or a salary. Contractors are more often paid for a required outcome, with less regard for time.

Work injury-contractors are responsible to insure themselves against injury but employees are not. Risk-employees generally do not bear in a direct way the risk of financial loss incurred by the business for which they work. Contractors have a chance of profit, and also the risk of loss.

Sub-contracting-an employee cannot assign or delegate the work to others whereas a contractor is typically permitted to do so.

Tools and equipment-contractors may supply special equipment or tools to do the job. Income tax and superannuation-employers usually pay these for their employees whereas contractors make their own arrangements.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 14-22

Classify the following as

contractors
employees
employers

Write the correct letter A, B or C.

You may use any letter more than once.

People who

work for wages or salary rather than profit

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Risk-employees generally do not bear in a direct way the risk of financial loss incurred by the business for which they work. Contractors have a chance of profit, and also the risk of loss.
Keywords: Risk-employees, financial loss, business, profit
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, lines 1-3
Explanation: Employees typically do not face the same level of financial risk as contractors in their work. While contractors have the potential to earn a profit, they also face the possibility of incurring losses. On the other hand, employees do not directly bear the financial risks that their employer's business may encounter.

Employees, on the other hand, are usually provided with a fixed salary and do not have to worry about expenses or taxes related to their work. While they may have job security concerns, they are not directly exposed to the financial risks of the business they work for.

pay tax on behalf of others

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: Income tax and superannuation-employers usually pay these for their employees whereas contractors make their own arrangements.
Keywords: Income, tax, superannuation, employers, contractors, arrangements
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, lines 1-3
Explanation: In most cases, employers are responsible for managing their employees' income tax and superannuation payments, while contractors are typically required to manage these payments themselves.

The distinction between employees and contractors highlights the different levels of responsibility that employers have for managing their employees' financial affairs, compared to the self-management required of contractors. These differences can impact the level of financial security that employees and contractors have and can influence the choices they make in their careers.

have less responsibility for the way in which a job is carried out

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Sub-contracting-an employee cannot assign or delegate the work to others whereas a contractor is typically permitted to do so.
Keywords: contracting, employee, assign, delegate, contractor
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, lines 1-2
Explanation: There is a significant difference between the abilities of employees and contractors to delegate or assign work to others. An employee is not typically allowed to delegate their responsibilities to others, while a contractor is usually permitted to do so.

This distinction between employees and contractors highlights the different levels of control and autonomy that they have in their work arrangements. While employees are subject to the direction and control of their employer, contractors often have greater flexibility and independence in how they carry out their work.

do not provide their own work gear

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Work injury-contractors are responsible to insure themselves against injury but employees are not. Risk-employees generally do not bear in a direct way the risk of financial loss incurred by the business for which they work.
Keywords: injury, contractors, insure,
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, lines 1-3
Explanation: When it comes to work-related injuries, there is a key difference between employees and contractors. Contractors are responsible for insuring themselves against work-related injuries, while employees are not typically required to do so.

In contrast, employees are typically covered by their employer's workers' compensation insurance. This insurance provides financial protection to employees in the event that they are injured or become ill as a result of their work. This means that employees do not bear the direct financial risk associated with work-related injuries, as their employer is responsible for providing compensation.

pay by the hour

Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: Payment-employees are usually paid on the basis of an hourly rate or a salary. Contractors are more often paid for a required outcome, with less regard for time.
Keywords: Payment, employees, hourly, salary, Contractors, outcome.
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, lines 1-2
Explanation: The payment arrangements for employees and contractors can differ significantly. Employees are generally paid on the basis of an hourly rate or a salary, while contractors are typically paid based on a required outcome, with less regard for time.

This distinction between employees and contractors reflects the different expectations and goals of these two types of workers. Employees are expected to work a set number of hours each week, while contractors are typically hired to complete a specific project or achieve a specific result. The payment arrangements for each type of worker reflect these different expectations and goals.

do not have the freedom to pay other people to do their job for them

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: Tools and equipment-contractors may supply special equipment or tools to do the job. Income tax and superannuation-employers usually pay these for their employees whereas contractors make their own arrangements.
Keywords: Tools, equipment, contractors, equipment, tools, Income tax, superannuation, employers
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, lines 1-3
Explanation: There are a number of differences in the way that employees and contractors are provided with the tools and equipment necessary to do their jobs. Contractors may be required to supply their own specialized equipment or tools, while employees are typically provided with the necessary tools by their employer.

These differences in the provision of tools and equipment, and in the management of income tax and superannuation payments, highlight the different expectations and responsibilities associated with being an employee versus a contractor.

do not benefit from belonging to a trade union

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: The legal consequences of being an independent contractor are significantly different to those for employees. Only an employee 'can be covered by an award or make a workplace agreement.
Keywords: legal, consequences, independent, contractor, employees, workplace
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, lines 5-7
Explanation: The legal implications of being classified as an independent contractor are distinct from those of an employee. In particular, employees are afforded a range of workplace protections that are not available to independent contractors.

are paid for the end result rather than hours recorded

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Sub-contracting-an employee cannot assign or delegate the work to others whereas a contractor is typically permitted to do so.
Keywords: contracting, employee, assign, delegate, contractor
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, lines 1-2
Explanation: There is a significant difference between the abilities of employees and contractors to delegate or assign work to others. An employee is not typically allowed to delegate their responsibilities to others, while a contractor is usually permitted to do so.

are required to sign an employment contract

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: An employee is someone who performs work under a contract of employment. ldentifying who is, or is not, an employee has become an increasingly disputed area, with a number of different factors to be considered.
Keywords: performs, contract, employment, ldentifying, disputed
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, lines 1-3
Explanation: It has been explained in the reading passage above that employee works under contract.

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