constructive dismissal. In some other industries similar tactics are used to deny the existence of an employer-employee relationship. Indefinite contractor status. Possibly broken up with mandatory away time every year. When the company no longer needs a worker or find their performance unsatisfactory they don't renew the contract. No termination needed. If they're paranoid about illegal employment termination lawsuits they can start managing out a worker through bad performance evaluations, assigning them less projects, a performance improvement plan.