<p>Gosh, I wonder how the owner of the company would feel if all of us were using his office space to make money for another company?</p>
<p>Does the manager really care who do what?</p>
<p>Many managers like to hire contractors because the managers want to have people to take care of the business so that they can sleep peacefully at home. When I was young I did not like contractors while I worked as a fulltime employee because most of the contractors’ work was lousy. I worked a lot faster and fixed a lot of problems that they created. Later in life I don’t care about contractors anymore because the more I care the less I sleep at home. I tell myself it’s not my money.</p>
<p>Both you and the other person are contractors. Most of the time you work at home. Does it matter when you work at home you also work with your other clients? Does the manager know what you do at home? Similarly does it matter when the other contractor works at home she also works with her other clients?</p>
<p>A good manager who knows what’s going one will know who is a good contractor or a bad one and you don’t have to tell him or her. But if the manager is just somebody who want others to do the work and has no judgement ability then your report may have some negative effect on you.</p>
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<p>Does the manager know this? If the manager does not know her productivity has dropped then your report about her side business may not help.
On the other hand, she may get fired because of low productivity or leave the company because her side business is flying. In either case you will have advantage: more work for you.</p>
<p>Just to follow up: I talked to my manager today and simply said, “I don’t want to move. I love my office space.” His reply was . . . “Okay,” accompanied by a great big smile. That was that. Ummm, I wonder what the whole move thing was all about? (Don’t worry, I’m definitely resting on my laurels and not pursuing the answer to THAT question. 
)</p>
<p>^^ Given his response, do you think the manager maybe has some idea of what’s going on with your office-mate?</p>
<p>That seems like a real possibility. (BTW - I took your advice on keeping the two above-mentioned issues separate. It was sound advice.) At this point, I see no reason to get involved in the other contractor’s issues. I’m also going to stop giving up my time in the office to make it more convenient for her to run her other business in private. She is just going to have to deal with the fact that she is not the only one working in the office. </p>
<p>My DD pointed out that the longer she is able to run her other business out of our office, the more money she saves by not having to lease office space for her other business. PLUS, we are located on prime real estate - in the heart of our city and close to everything. She really is taking advantage of her situation. Despite all this, I will answer any questions asked me directly, but think it’s best to focus solely on my business and keep out of hers.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have found a good solution. On the plus side, the more you are in the office, now that her play for a “single” has failed, the more likely it is that she will depart for greener pastures sooner.</p>
<p>I find myself wondering if you and your co-workers are actually independent contractors or if you are employees being paid illegally as independent contractors. You might want to check if you are actually an employee, as defined by the IRS: [Employee</a> vs. Independent Contractor ? Seven Tips for Business Owners](<a href=“http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=173423,00.html]Employee”>http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=173423,00.html)</p>
<p>If you are actually an employee, you are entitled to benefits, such as social security and (potentially) unemployment compensation, that you are not currently getting. Many employers try to use “independent contractors” when they are actually skirting the law.</p>
<p>dmd77 - I really appreciate your concern. We truly are independent contractors - all self-employed as determined by our state laws/licensing. I don’t want to give away my actual career in an attempt to keep my identity private, but it’s all legit. It’s just how my industry works.</p>