Employment

Am I required to a paid vacation even though an employee has been on extended layoff?

As a part-time Chaplain for a retirement community I work from 6 to 8 hours a week in the Chaplains' office and another 4 or 5 hours a week at home, using my home office equipment. My major responsibilities include organizing, from a corps of volunteers,the musicians and worship leaders for chapel services, Bible studies, and memorial services, producing monthly schedules for distribution to residents and volunteers, making announcements,writing news items for the monthly Village Voice, etc. To date I have worked as an independent contractor, without any benefits. As we consider a contract for the next fiscal year I am being asked to purchase workmens compensation. Does Kansas law require this?

I wrote a letter as a private citizen, about a piece of medical equipment I am considered an expert in the use of, and have been using similar equipment, for over 30 years. I wrote the letter to the manufacturer of the equipment in regards to how I believe the equipment was poorly designed and can possibly lead to testing errors. I wrote the letter as a concerned professional user, not as a representative of the company I work for. The manufacturer gave a copy of my private letter, to my employer, who instead of focusing on the design problem, is unhappy with me for writing the letter, saying it may be 'Proprietary' in nature. My question is: is this a case of proprietary information misuse, and should the manufacturer have given a copy of my private letter, written as a private citizen, to the company I work for?

I have been collecting unemployment benefits since 2007 and have only been able to find hourly work. I was told by the NJ Unemployment office that when I call in my claims for payment, I should answer NO to question #5 (Did you perform any ....or self-employment work) even though I have been working as an independent contractor. Is this correct? Will I have to return the benefits I have collected if the advisor that told me this was mistaken? I don't have the person's name or any details about that phone call, unfortunately.

I have lived in Glendale, Arizona since 1986. This is my permanent residence for my wife, child, and me. I recently retired from an electric utility in Arizona. I am currently contracting in Oswego, New York at a nuclear plant. I receive $525/week per diem. I may be here for several years. I am currently renting, but if I wanted to buy a house here in New York instead of renting and keep it for a summer vacation property when I finally retire at 62 instead of renting for the period I am here, how will this affect my per diem that I am receiving?