Working on a Nitro FC team............ (2 Viewers)

[Bruno]

Has nothing to do with what you want to do or what you agree to, it's the law. Believe me, if you were in an industry where your competition is not paying overtime by skating around the law and you are playing it by the book you would be singing a different toon. You would be loosing jobs/work to these others that are working their employees 60 hours at straight time and that additional 20 hours would have been time and a half and they went in cheaper because of it. Been there, done that live it every day. All I am saying is that somehow the racing industry gets around it and I don't know how. Maybe because it is a small industry and everyone does it and no complaints. Just looking at it from a different angle, that's all.

 

[stitcherbob]

no overtime....they only give you 55 - 75 minutes to work on the car, times by 5.....8 if your Sunday goes well.....

 

[M Jones]

You can work as an independent contractor , make any agreement you like with your team owner

 

[BaldyLochs]

Another thing to consider - especially if it's on a top tier pro touring car - the time on the road. I mean in total, for the year. I believe at one point back in the day I heard it was something like 230 days away from home for the big boys.

 

[Jim]

You can work as an independent contractor , make any agreement you like with your team owner

Would that such were true......lots of employment lawyers (and tax authorities) have made such arrangements (especially in this situation) "problematic". It would cost the employer - the car owner = plenty if any money changes hands. Volunteer yes.....independent contractor..no!

 

[M Jones]

All you have to do is file as independent contractor with irs, owner is required to file what he pays you, you pay your own taxes your self, if you are your only employee you do not have to pay work men’s comp or employer taxes

 

[Dan]

Well first if your in this for the money your an idiot lol....everyone I know that does it full time or part time loves it even if they say they dont.....example i woke up at 545 Saturday morning loaded up the car drove to Martin mi 2 1/2 hrs away worked on car all day getting ready for 2 runs at Martin and getting things ready for reading next week made our runs loaded trailer so dom could go back to indy in the morning and then I drove home got home about 45 min ago now its bed time I am shot

 

[Bruno]

The independent contractor deal does not work. If you are an employer you cannot tell someone when to show up to work, how long to work, etc. An independent contractor will tell the employer their schedule and the "employer" has to work around that. That is a big issue with the Dept of Labor as well.

 

[none]

That's not even a full day Dan LOL!!!!

 

[Jeff]

The independent contractor deal does not work. If you are an employer you cannot tell someone when to show up to work, how long to work, etc. An independent contractor will tell the employer their schedule and the "employer" has to work around that. That is a big issue with the Dept of Labor as well.

I'm sure they follow the rules Joe. Unfortunately, you are quoting stuff you have no idea about. This law changed in 1988 or 1989 and my job immediately changed from salary plus OT to salary only. I'm now a part owner of a similar company, we have over 60,000 employees in the US (almost 250k worldwide) .... only admins get paid OT. First year staff on are salaried and expected to work AT LEAST 300 hours of overtime a year minimum. I believe our starting pay is $55k. The management only concept is for a much lower pay range group.

 

[none]

How you count hours is also part of the equation, get beat first round, and you got to work at 9 AM and were done for the day at noon. Many crew positions also get bonus money based on performance, so if you go to the final you are being paid more than the team that lost R1. (And even more if you win)

How many have noticed that if Q1 is scheduled for 4 PM, the team hospitality doesn't open until 2 and the car won't be out until about that time.

Alan

 

[Jim]

Nate mentioned >>>"The change under the Fair Labor Standards Act doubles the annual salary threshold — to $47,476 from the current $23,660 — that generally determines who qualifies for overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week. That means salaried workers who earn less than $47,476 will now be eligible for overtimepay." <<<<

I'm sure they follow the rules Joe. .. only admins get paid OT. First year staff on are salaried and expected to work AT LEAST 300 hours of overtime a year minimum. I believe our starting pay is $55k. The management only concept is for a much lower pay range group.

$55K Salary probably keeps you safe from the OT regs.

I come here for the Drag Racing stuff but, hate to see anybody get "hung out to dry" with this overtime / independent contractor / forget about Workers' Compensation.....stuff......It is the kind of thing state and federal auditor types really like to jump on. Even with a President who seems amenable to cutting regulations, this is not one that will go away any too soon.
BTW: Some may think $47K may be too high for "Salary" definition but, $24,000. with no eligibility for overtime is ridiculous.. IMHO - That's hardly "Management" money.

 

[mikebcurve]

My son is graduating from UNOH in February. His goal is to work on a pro team and eventually ending up in a shop. I'm a little surprised at the conversation here. It sounds like he should not expect to make much if any money doing it. I understand paying your dues and working your way up but he has to make enough to support himself. He is interested in everything motor sports so should he go a different route if he wants to make any money? Just wondering...........

 

[Jim]

Do it if he's passionate about it (but don't expect to make big bucks right away...if ever). If money is the driver, he might be better off getting certification and - I think - that requires some time in grade.

My son is graduating from UNOH in February. His goal is to work on a pro team and eventually ending up in a shop. I'm a little surprised at the conversation here. It sounds like he should not expect to make much if any money doing it. I understand paying your dues and working your way up but he has to make enough to support himself. He is interested in everything motor sports so should he go a different route if he wants to make any money? Just wondering...........

 

[Rajunz]

My son is graduating from UNOH in February. His goal is to work on a pro team and eventually ending up in a shop. I'm a little surprised at the conversation here. It sounds like he should not expect to make much if any money doing it. I understand paying your dues and working your way up but he has to make enough to support himself. He is interested in everything motor sports so should he go a different route if he wants to make any money? Just wondering...........

He would be on the road the majority of the time, with expenses paid, most of his paychecks should stay to his bank account.

 

[TSK]

If I'm understanding all this mumbo jumbo about government involvement, a volunteer worker has no rights to compensation or help from Uncle Sam, no matter how many hours are worked. But, if so much as one dollar is paid for the work, then the full wrath of OSHA, Dept. of Labor, IRS, etc., etc., will come down on said team owner if overtime isn't paid. Is that a correct synopsis?
If I ask someone for a job, and know that I'm going to be required to work a lot more than 40 hours per week for nine to 10 months of the year, and the team owner says the job pays, say, $45,000, that's all I should expect to receive.
I made a contract with the owner. As long as the owner pays what is owed, and as long as I do all the work required, why in the world should the government get involved? Both parties have upheld their end of the agreement.

 

[M Jones]

Bingo Ted

 

[Treeshaker]

My son is graduating from UNOH in February. His goal is to work on a pro team and eventually ending up in a shop. I'm a little surprised at the conversation here. It sounds like he should not expect to make much if any money doing it. I understand paying your dues and working your way up but he has to make enough to support himself. He is interested in everything motor sports so should he go a different route if he wants to make any money? Just wondering...........

Does the school pay your son for attending their classes? When he graduates will he have skill sets to offer his new employer? Don't you feel these skill sets would make him a more valuable employee and he would be offered more to start? And the team will figure out real quick if he was the type of student that applied himself and learned a lot or if he was the type that just learned enough to get a degree.

A full time at the races crew member must be one that enjoys traveling, being around team members a lot, and is only concerned with doing his job well so that the team is successful. If you are concerned with hourly wages and overtime, then it isn't the job for you. But there are many jobs in the racing industry that will allow you to be home every night, work by the hour and still be part of a team. You need different skill sets such as machining, fabrication, painting, PR, accounting, etc. Every career has it's plus and minus, just choose one that will satisfy you.

 

[mikebcurve]

Does the school pay your son for attending their classes? When he graduates will he have skill sets to offer his new employer? Don't you feel these skill sets would make him a more valuable employee and he would be offered more to start? And the team will figure out real quick if he was the type of student that applied himself and learned a lot or if he was the type that just learned enough to get a degree.

A full time at the races crew member must be one that enjoys traveling, being around team members a lot, and is only concerned with doing his job well so that the team is successful. If you are concerned with hourly wages and overtime, then it isn't the job for you. But there are many jobs in the racing industry that will allow you to be home every night, work by the hour and still be part of a team. You need different skill sets such as machining, fabrication, painting, PR, accounting, etc. Every career has it's plus and minus, just choose one that will satisfy you.

Thank you for your comment. He is a very smart kid who has learned a lot and his classes has given him a well rounded education. I feel he could fit in anywhere a team would need him. He has a passion for this and while I don't think long term travel is something he would like it is something he wants to experience with the eventual goal to settle down in one place and work in a shop. Some of the comments in this thread from those who have worked previously on teams made it sound as though you shouldn't expect to get paid much if any for your services as a crew member. I was hoping someone with your experience would comment so again thank you!

 

[Jim]

If I'm understanding all this mumbo jumbo about government involvement, a volunteer worker has no rights to compensation or help from Uncle Sam, no matter how many hours are worked. But, if so much as one dollar is paid for the work, then the full wrath of OSHA, Dept. of Labor, IRS, etc., etc., will come down on said team owner if overtime isn't paid. Is that a correct synopsis?
If I ask someone for a job, and know that I'm going to be required to work a lot more than 40 hours per week for nine to 10 months of the year, and the team owner says the job pays, say, $45,000, that's all I should expect to receive.
I made a contract with the owner. As long as the owner pays what is owed, and as long as I do all the work required, why in the world should the government get involved? Both parties have upheld their end of the agreement.

Well...Yes....and No.
Without getting any more wonky.....when you bring folks in and "control" them (i.e. set hours, tasks etc) you MAY be establishing an employer/employee relationship - even if the individual is a volunteer and you don't pay the individual (such as Salvation Army volunteers). So many of these claims for wages and overtime have occurred after the fact and, yes, the Govt functionaries (usually with the cooperation of disgruntled former associates) have retrospectively created employment relationships that were never contemplated at the outset.
FWIW: There MAY be some protection by drawing up a simple agreement/contract at the beginning of any such arrangement (I do so routinely whenever I hire folks to do work around-the-house - Legit electricians, carpenters or whatever seldom object - Sketchy ones <who don't buy Workers Compensation insurance or hire illegals> won't - I don't want to hire a lawsuit.)