[jseliger]

This is likely much closer to the correct answer. I do grant writing for nonprofit and public agencies and some businesses (see http://www.seliger.com/blog if you're curious), and we sometimes need to sign forms that say we're independent contractors, not employees.

There are complicated rules for determining who counts as an employee and who doesn't. Microsoft famously lost (or "settled?") a lawsuit around this issue: https://corporate.findlaw.com/human-resources/employee-or-in.... I don't know the details of the case and found this piece via DuckDuckGo, so others may know more about it than I do.

In short, some kind of tax / regulatory issues may lie at the bottom of this case, and the comment above should be near the top of the HN heap.

Edit to add that, of course, this is no excuse for the company not explaining what's going on.

[paulcole]

Remember that in the US, as an employee/contractor you can sign whatever you want saying you are/are not a contractor and it’s completely worthless.

The government decides how you’re classified, not you.