News Notes: Court To Review Microsoft Independent Contractor Case

Late last year, software giant Microsoft Corp. was ordered by a federal Court of Appeal to extend retroactive pension and stock purchase benefits-potentially worth millions of dollars-to employees improperly classified as independent contractors. (See CEA November 1996.) But now, the court says it will reconsider its decision-a potentially positive signal for Microsoft. A change in the court’s ruling could spell welcome relief not only for Microsoft, but for other employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors and don’t offer them the same benefits as employees. We’ll keep you posted.