Your assignment is to write an informal report in which you present the pros and cons of working as either a contractor or as an employee.

The scenario

You are a university student who has been studying computer science and you are home for the summer looking for a temporary job in your field. A local retail store has offered to hire you to create a new website that can be used for e-commerce. He goes over the scope of this task with you. You tell him that it will take you about 200 hours. You negotiate a wage of $20 per hour. He agrees to put you on the payroll for a definite term of five weeks. You agree to work for 40 hours per week in the office at the back of the store for this time.

Shortly before you start, the employer phones you with an offer. He can contract you to create the website. You will invoice him for the $4000 when you have completed the task that you have already agreed to. You tell him that you will think about it and get back to him.

Your task

Write a list of the pros and cons for working as a contractor in this situation as well as a list of the pros and cons of working as an employee of the store. Then write a letter to the store owner explaining your choice with all of the legal reasons behind your decision.

You might need to do some research beyond the materials provided in the course. If you do, be sure to include a works cited list for all sources used.