This benchmark assignment assesses the following competency.

Competency 4.1: Define relevant laws and regulations that affect the business environment and how businesses operate.

The purpose of this assignment is to identify ethical issues associated with employee designations and to identify laws and federal regulations governing employment.

Review the Madrid and Berne scenario that you used as the basis for your Topic 6 discussion of the laws and federal regulations governing employment. Consider the ethical issues and dilemmas the scenario creates for Madrid and Berne and Joan Newman.

Scenario

Madrid and Berne is a top-rated accounting firm with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. Madrid and Berne wanted to provide bookkeeping as an additional service to its clients. It hired Joan Newman Business Services, with offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson, and Yuma, to perform contract bookkeeping services for Madrid and Berne clients who requested and needed such services. Madrid and Berne entered into an independent contractor agreement with Joan Newman Business Services. The contract stated that Joan Newman is an independent contractor and agrees that her business is an independent contractor of Madrid and Berne.

After entering into the agreement, Joan worked solely on jobs assigned by Madrid and Berne and was paid a commission for the work. The commission was based upon the fees determined by Madrid and Berne and paid by the clients to Madrid and Berne. Joan was paid on a weekly basis. She used available and unused office space at Madrid and Berne, along with Madrid and Berne's equipment and supplies. This arrangement made it easier for clients to utilize Joan's services and be familiar with the offices. Madrid and Berne reviewed Joan's work and returned faulty work to her for corrections before delivering the completed work to the clients.

Assignment

Consider and apply the feedback provided by your instructor regarding your discussion of the following in your Topic 6 assignment submission. Evidence of revision will be assessed and should be evident.

• Provide an explanation of why it is important to know the distinctions between employees and independent contractors when operating a business.
• Discuss the key factors for determining Joan's employee classification using the concepts that have been presented so far in the course and your own research relevant to the scenario.
• Using the rules for distinguishing between employee and independent contractor, discuss whether Joan's designation as an independent contractor was correct, and justify your designation by citing laws and federal regulations.

In an additional 250-500 words, discuss the following from a Christian worldview perspective.

• One ethical issue or dilemma the scenario presents for Madrid and Berne and strategies for addressing the issue or dilemma.
• One ethical issue or dilemma the scenario presents for Joan Newman and strategies for addressing the issue or dilemma.

Submit the final 750-1,000 word analysis of the scenario to your instructor.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success, Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articlesfor assistance.