HTS Independent Contractor Agreement, Guideline & Payment Policy
Updated: March 15, 2026
IIndependent Contractor Agreement
This Independent Contractor Agreement (“Agreement”) governs the relationship between 3T Group of KY, LLC dba Hi-Tech Staffing (“HTS” or the “Company”) and the individual completing this onboarding form (“Contractor”). By accepting assignments through Hi-Tech Staffing, Contractor agrees to the following terms.
Independent Contractor Status
Contractor is engaged as an independent contractor and not as an employee, partner, agent, or representative of Hi-Tech Staffing. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employer–employee relationship. Contractor is solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, self-employment taxes, and any licenses or insurance applicable to their services.
No Employee Benefits
As an independent contractor, Contractor is not eligible for employee benefits including vacation pay, sick leave, retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, workers compensation as an employee, health or disability benefits, or any other employee benefits.
Assignment-Based Engagement
Contractor understands that Hi-Tech Staffing provides event and production staffing services on an assignment-by-assignment basis. Acceptance of one assignment does not guarantee future work. The Company is not obligated to offer assignments, and Contractor is not obligated to accept them.
Professional Standards
Contractor agrees to perform services in a professional, competent, and timely manner consistent with industry standards and the expectations of the assignment.
Assignment Commitment, Cancellation & No-Show Policy
When Contractor accepts an assignment, Contractor is committing to fulfill that shift as scheduled. If Contractor becomes unable to perform the assignment, Contractor must notify Hi-Tech Staffing as soon as reasonably possible so that replacement staffing can be arranged. Repeated cancellations, last-minute cancellations, or failure to appear for a scheduled assignment without notice (“no-show”) may result in removal from the assignment roster and may affect eligibility for future opportunities with Hi-Tech Staffing. Contractor acknowledges that last-minute cancellations or no-shows can cause operational disruption and financial loss. In such cases, Hi-Tech Staffing reserves the right to assess a reasonable administrative or replacement fee to offset costs incurred in securing emergency staffing or addressing client penalties. Any such charge will be limited to reasonable costs incurred and will not exceed the compensation associated with the assignment.
Assignment Cancellation by Client
If an assignment is cancelled by the Client after a Contractor has accepted and been confirmed for the shift, Hi-Tech Staffing may provide partial or full cancellation compensation to the Contractor depending on the timing of the cancellation and the circumstances of the event.
Typical guidelines are as follows:
• Cancellations occurring 24–48 hours prior to the scheduled start time may qualify for up to fifty percent (50%) of the agreed shift compensation.
• Cancellations occurring less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time may qualify for up to one hundred percent (100%) of the agreed shift compensation.
Cancellation payments are subject to confirmation of the client cancellation terms and the amounts received by Hi-Tech Staffing. Hi-Tech Staffing reserves the right to determine the appropriate cancellation compensation based on the circumstances of the event and the terms agreed with the client.
Contractors will be notified as soon as reasonably possible if an assignment is cancelled or modified.
Compliance with Client & Venue Policies
Contractor agrees to follow all reasonable instructions provided by Hi-Tech Staffing, the client, venue management, or on-site supervisors while performing services.
Removal from Assignment
Hi-Tech Staffing or its clients may remove a contractor from an assignment for safety concerns, violation of policies, unprofessional conduct, failure to perform duties, or other operational reasons. In such cases, compensation will be limited to the portion of the assignment completed.
Responsibility for Equipment, Property & Damages
Contractor agrees to exercise reasonable care when handling equipment, materials, and property belonging to Hi-Tech Staffing, the client, venue, or other vendors. Contractor may be held responsible for loss or damage caused by negligent, reckless, or unauthorized actions. If such actions result in repair costs, replacement costs, or client penalties, Hi-Tech Staffing may seek reimbursement from the Contractor for reasonable costs incurred, limited to the direct damages associated with the incident.
Confidentiality
During assignments, Contractor may have access to confidential or proprietary information including client information, operational procedures, vendor relationships, and event production details. Contractor agrees not to disclose or use such information outside the scope of their work with Hi-Tech Staffing. All documents, files, and materials relating to the Company’s business remain the property of Hi-Tech Staffing and must be returned upon request.
Non-Circumvention of Client Relationships
Contractor agrees not to solicit, accept, or perform services directly for clients introduced through Hi-Tech Staffing without the Company’s prior written consent.
Non-Solicitation of Crew
Contractor agrees not to solicit, recruit, or directly hire other contractors introduced through Hi-Tech Staffing for outside work in a manner that bypasses the Company. Any collaboration or referrals involving Hi-Tech Staffing contractors must be disclosed to and approved by the Company.
Force Majeure
Hi-Tech Staffing shall not be responsible for assignment cancellations or changes resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, venue closures, natural disasters, government orders, transportation disruptions, public health emergencies, labor disputes, or other circumstances that make the event impossible or impractical to perform.
In such cases, cancellation compensation may not apply and will be determined at Hi-Tech Staffing’s discretion based on the circumstances and any compensation received from the client.
Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kentucky.
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Kentucky in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
Updated: March 15, 2026
Operational Guidelines
The following operational guidelines apply to all assignments accepted through Hi-Tech Staffing (“HTS”).
Assignment Offers
Assignment offers may be distributed to multiple contractors simultaneously and will remain open until all available positions have been accepted or filled. A shift is not considered confirmed until Hi-Tech Staffing notifies the contractor that the assignment has been secured.
Arrival & Check-In
Contractors must report to the designated Point of Contact (POC) at the assigned meeting location at least ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled shift start time for sign-in and assignments. Late arrival may result in adjustments to compensation, reassignment of duties, or removal from the shift if operational needs require.
Dress Code & Professional Appearance
Contractors must arrive in the required attire specified for the assignment and maintain a professional appearance at all times.
Preparedness & Tools
Contractors are responsible for bringing any tools, supplies, or protective equipment required for the assignment unless otherwise specified in the assignment details.
Cell Phones & Personal Devices
The active use of cell phones, earbuds, headphones, or personal electronic devices during assignments is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the on-site lead or required for the duties of the assignment.
Safety & Workplace Conduct
Contractors must comply with all applicable safety guidelines and instructions provided by Hi-Tech Staffing, the client, venue staff, or on-site supervisors.
Respectful Conduct
Contractors are expected to behave professionally and respectfully toward clients, venue staff, fellow crew members, and members of the public.
Incident & Issue Reporting
Any incident that may affect safety, equipment functionality, or client satisfaction must be reported to the on-site lead or Hi-Tech Staffing immediately.
Release from Assignment
Contractors must remain on-site and available for assigned duties until officially released by the on-site lead, client representative, or Hi-Tech Staffing coordinator. Leaving an assignment without authorization may be treated as abandonment of the assignment and may affect compensation and eligibility for future assignments.
Walkaways / Breaks in Assignment
Breaks or pauses in work caused by client direction, venue delays, or schedule changes (“walkaways”) do not automatically end the assignment. Contractors may be required to remain available on-site until officially released by the on-site lead, client representative, or Hi-Tech Staffing coordinator. Contractors should remain prepared to resume duties when requested during such pauses.
Timekeeping Responsibility
Contractors are responsible for ensuring their time worked is accurately recorded and submitted according to Hi-Tech Staffing procedures.
Updated: March 15, 2026
Payment Policy
Payment Requirements
Contractors must complete all required onboarding and payment setup before payment can be issued. This includes:
• Contractor agreement signed
• Completed contact information
• Required identification documentation (if applicable)
• Completed W-9 information submitted through QuickBooks Online (QBO) or another designated platform
• Payment setup through the Company’s designated payment platform
Failure to complete these requirements may result in delays to payment until all required documentation has been received and verified.
Time Reporting
Contractors are responsible for accurately recording their time worked for each assignment. Hi-Tech Staffing may require contractors to check in and check out using a designated platform, application, or time reporting system to document hours worked. Failure to check in, check out, or submit required time reports may result in delays to payment until the hours worked can be verified.
Payment Timeline & Method
Payments are issued within thirty (30) days from the last day of the scheduled shift, once a properly completed time report has been received and approved and all required onboarding documentation has been completed. Payments may be issued through Nickel or another payment service provider designated by Hi-Tech Staffing. Contractors may receive a link or instructions to provide payment details through the applicable payment platform when required.
All contractor payments are generally issued via direct deposit (ACH) to the bank account provided by the Contractor through the Company’s designated payment platform. Contractors are responsible for ensuring their banking information in the payment system is accurate and up to date. Requests for payment by physical check are subject to the Company’s discretion and may be subject to a processing fee of up to $5.00, which may be deducted from the payment.
Payment Inquiries
Contractors are encouraged to allow the full thirty (30) day payment processing period before submitting payment inquiries. Inquiries submitted prior to the end of the processing period may not receive a response while payments are still being processed.
Pay Structure
Compensation for each assignment will be communicated in advance and may be structured as an hourly rate, half-day rate, or day rate.
Day Rate Definitions
Unless otherwise specified, a half-day rate equals five (5) hours and a full-day rate equals ten (10) hours. Half-day rates equal 60% of the day rate. Six hours equals 70% of the day rate, seven hours equals 80% of the day rate, and 7.5 to 10 hours equals 100% of the day rate.
Overtime
Overtime (“OT”) is based on actual hours worked and excludes unpaid breaks, walkaway lunches, or other non-working time. Overtime may be referenced in certain assignment offers when anticipated in advance; however, overtime is not guaranteed and will only be paid based on actual hours worked. Any overtime incurred that was not included in the assignment offer may be subject to review and approval by the client before payment is issued. All time worked is rounded to the next quarter hour for payroll purposes.
Calculation of Overtime
Overtime within a shift: When overtime occurs within the same scheduled shift (for example, when work continues past midnight but remains part of the same call), the overtime premium is calculated as an additional 0.5x the hourly rate for each applicable overtime hour since the base hourly rate has already been paid.
Overtime in addition to a shift: When overtime occurs beyond the originally scheduled call or shift, such hours will be compensated at the full overtime rate of 1.5x or 2x the hourly rate, as applicable.
Overtime Rates
After 10 hours → 1.5x hourly rate
After 12 hours → 2x hourly rate
Work between 12:00am and 6:00am → 1.5x hourly rate
EKU Center for the Arts Assignments
Assignments performed at EKU Center for the Arts are paid strictly on an hourly basis with a four (4) hour minimum, and overtime does not apply unless otherwise specified.
Travel Reimbursement
Travel expenses are not reimbursed unless approved in writing for a specific assignment. Approved mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS mileage rate and is generally limited to one hundred (100) roundtrip miles unless otherwise disclosed. Multi-day assignments may include only one roundtrip reimbursement unless otherwise approved.
Early Payment Option
Contractors may request early payment within seven (7) business days for a five percent (5%) processing fee by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Early Pay.” Participation in this program is optional and may be modified or discontinued.