CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

Is it lawful for an employer to cover only full-time employees under workers' compensation insurance while excluding a part-time employee?

1. Yes, it's lawful

2. No, part-time employees must also be covered

3. Only if the part-time employee works less than 20 hours

4. Only if the part-time employee is an independent contractor

The correct answer is: No, part-time employees must also be covered

Employers are required to provide workers' compensation coverage for all employees, which includes part-time workers, regardless of the hours worked. The rationale behind this requirement is to ensure that all employees have protections in case of work-related injuries or illnesses. Excluding part-time employees from coverage exposes them to significant risks and compromises their legal rights. State laws generally mandate this coverage to promote safe working conditions and protect the welfare of all employees in a workplace, thereby emphasizing that both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to the same protections under workers' compensation insurance. In this context, the other choices do not align with the legal requirements. While some may argue that coverage could be selective based on hours worked, this is not what the law stipulates. Additionally, the classification of an employee as an independent contractor introduces a different set of criteria regarding coverage, which does not exclude part-time employees. Thus, the obligation to cover all employees under workers' compensation insurance is a fundamental principle in labor law, solidifying why part-time employees must also be covered.