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Re: Is tech writing a profession? Are we professionals? YES
Subject:Re: Is tech writing a profession? Are we professionals? YES From:Renee Moore <rkmoore1 -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 3 Feb 2005 10:31:42 -0800 (PST)
Hi Phillip,
Tech writing is a profession.
However, that depends on how Hawaii's Dept of Labor
classifies and distinguishes between professionals and
crafts folk. Sounds interesting, because IMHO
journeymen are professionals--if journeymen means
people practicing trades such as plumbing, wiring and
painting.
Is the issue whether a person is a business,
self-employed, or an employee, and who pays FICA and
unemployment insurance? 1099 vs. W-2 seems irrelevant
in deciding whether tech writing is a profession. W-2s
imply an employment relationship between employer and
employee. Employers are responsible for collecting
Social Security payments and paying unemployment
insurance. The self-employed or business owner working
on a 1099 makes those payments themselves.
The distinction may lie in whether the individual or
the employer was responsible for FICA and unemployment
insurance. The IRS definition might help by explaining
how they determine who pays FICA and unemployment
insurance. If the employee comes and goes as they
please, and the employer does not determine when,
where and how they work, then the IRS might consider
them as either self-employed or a business and
responsible for the payments. Otherwise, the employer
or client who dictates when, where, and how the person
works, is liable for those payments.
All of this is IMHO, of course!
Thanks!
Renee Moore
Technical Communications Consultant
rkmoore1 -at- yahoo -dot- com
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