| Contractor FAQ |
 |
The following Frequently Asked Questions are for Technical Contractors and Technical Direct Hire Candidates. There is a separate FAQ for associates who work for the Parker Staffing division.
This FAQ contains links to documents in PDF format. To view and print them you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here for a free download. |
 |
| Job opportunities at Parker Technical |
|
|
|
| How to get work from Parker Technical |
|
|
|
| When you’re on assignment… |
| |
|
|
| Getting paid |
|
|
|
| Tax forms and time sheet forms |
|
|
|
| Benefits available |
|
|
|
| Benefits eligibility and enrollment |
|
|
|
| General |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Job opportunities at Parker Staffing |
|
|
| What types of jobs do you place? |
|
Parker Technical offers a wide range of IT, IS, development,
and QA jobs including software engineer, database developer,
and network engineer. A typical list of jobs can be seen by
clicking here. |
|
| Parker also specializes in Healthcare IT opportunities such as clinical analysis, implementation analysis, clinical informatics, and much more. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Where are your jobs? |
|
| The majority of Parker Technical’s jobs are in or around Seattle. Healthcare IT opportunities are available throughout the U.S., including California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Texas, Oregon, and Washington. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Will I need to pay a fee if you place me in a permanent position? |
|
|
| No, Parker never charges candidates for our placement services. We are an employer-paid recruiting firm. |
|
|
|
How to get work from Parker Technical |
|
|
|
| I saw a job on your Web site—how do I apply? |
|
It depends on whether you’ve worked for us before.
|
If you’re new to Parker:
|
- EITHER Find a job you’re interested in, then e-mail your resume to the address provided on the job description page.
|
|
|
| If you’re already a Parker contractor: |
|
|
- EITHER Find a job you’re interested in, then e-mail your resume to the address provided on the job description page.
|
- OR Create a MyParker account to simplify how you tell us about jobs you’re interested in and update us on new skill sets and changes in your availability.
|
| |
| We’ll review your qualifications and follow up with you within two business days. |
|
|
| Can I work with Parker if I’m a 1099 contractor? |
|
|
| Yes, we have many 1099 contractors working for Parker Technical. We require compliance with contract and insurance requirements prior to starting your project with us. For more information, please contact Betsy Basch at betsyb@parkerservices.com, or call (206) 447-9447. |
|
|
|
When you're on assignment... |
|
|
|
I just accepted a job and can't finish my contract. What
do I do? |
|
While we typically ask you to honor a commitment you’ve made to a project, we understand that sometimes other opportunities arise. If you are unable to complete a project, please give us two weeks’ notice, and call (206) 447-9447 to discuss your particular situation with your Parker recruiter. |
|
My supervisor just offered me a permanent position.
What do I do? |
|
Congratulations! Many of our contractors are asked to join client companies as full-time employees, and we’re always happy when an assignment works out so well. Please contact our Recruiting Manager Scot Baker at sbaker@parkerservices.com or call (206) 447-9447 to discuss how to make the transition. |
|
| Am I required to take a lunch break and rest breaks? |
|
If you are a non-exempt employee working in the state of Washington for a period of five or more hours, you are required to take at least a 30-minute lunch break (unpaid). Ten-minute rest breaks are required during each four-hour period worked. Similar requirements apply in other states.
|
If you are an exempt employee, these requirements do not apply.
For more information or clarification regarding your exemption status, please contact Betsy Basch at betsyb@parkerservices.com or (206) 447-9447. |
|
|
| Who pays me? |
|
- If you accept contract assignments from Parker Technical, then Parker is your employer of record. We also pay the employer’s share of mandatory taxes and insurance for you and all our contractors.
- If Parker Technical has contracted with you as a 1099 contractor, we pay your weekly invoices. If you are a 1099 contractor, you are responsible for paying all mandatory taxes and insurance required.
|
|
| How often do I get paid? |
|
We process payroll weekly. Our work week is Monday through Sunday, and you get paid every Friday via direct deposit for the previous week’s work. We handle payroll in-house, so should an issue ever arise, your recruiter can walk down the hall and resolve it immediately. |
|
| How do I get paid? |
|
For maximum convenience and security, we offer direct deposit for all of our contractors. We send the direct deposit advice (similar to a pay stub) to you via postal mail. |
|
| How and when do I report my hours, so I can get paid on time? |
|
You need to fax a time sheet to us before noon Monday for the previous week. Here’s how:
- Have your supervisor sign your time sheet.
- Fax it to (206) 326-5270 or (206) 223-8227.
If your time sheet is received before noon Monday, your direct deposit will be made before close of business on Friday of that week. |
|
| How do I sign up for direct deposit? |
|
|
1. Fill out a direct deposit form (download it below), indicating whether you want your pay deposited in a checking account, a savings account, or split between the two.
2. Gather the following documents: |
|
- For checking accounts, a voided check. If you don’t have checks, give us the routing and account numbers for your account.
- For savings accounts, a personalized savings deposit slip.
|
|
|
| 3. Mail the direct deposit form along with the appropriate documentation to us—or drop the documents by our office—at: |
| |
|
Parker Staffing Services
605 Fifth Avenue South
Suite 850
Seattle, WA 98104
Download: Direct Deposit Form (PDF) |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| I missed the payroll cut-off time. When will I get paid? |
|
Time sheets received after noon on Monday will be processed in the following week’s payroll. |
|
| My supervisor is out of the office and can’t sign my time sheet. What do I do? |
|
If you are unable to get your time sheet signed and submitted by noon on Monday, please contact our Administrative Specialist Julie Carter at (206) 652-1595 or juliec@parkerservices.com. |
|
| I didn’t get paid. What do I do? |
|
If you submitted your time sheet and didn’t receive your check, please contact Julie Carter at (206) 447-9447 or juliec@parkerservices.com. |
|
| How can I change my W-4 form? |
|
| Fill out a new form (available below) and mail it to us at: |
|
Parker Staffing Services
605 Fifth Avenue South
Suite 850
Seattle, WA 98104 |
|
|
| Or you can just stop by at any time and fill out a new form in person. Either way, until we receive this form, we are unable to make any changes. |
|
Download: Form W-4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance
Certificate (PDF) |
|
|
| When do you mail W-2 forms? |
|
We mail Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statements to contractors on or before January 31 for the preceding year. If you haven’t received yours by then, please e-mail W2@parkerservices.com or call (206) 447-9447 and ask for extension 1040. |
|
| When do you mail 1099 forms? |
|
Same time—we mail Form 1099-MISC Statements to our 1099 contractors on or before January 31 for the preceding year. If you have questions, please e-mail W2@parkerservices.com or call (206) 447-9447 and ask for extension 1040. |
|
|
|
| Do you offer holiday pay? |
|
Parker Staffing contractors are eligible after six months to receive holiday pay for the following six holidays, if the holiday falls on a scheduled work day: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
|
| To receive holiday pay you must work a minimum of 24 hours during the week of the holiday. Holiday pay is paid at the regular straight time rate you are paid at the time the holiday occurs. Holiday pay is paid out in a separate check and is issued on the Friday two weeks after the holiday. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| What medical, vision, and dental insurance is available? |
|
| For eligible contractors, Parker offers the following benefits: |
|
- Medical We contribute 65% of the monthly premium for contractors. Medical insurance for your dependents is 100% contractor-paid.
|
- Dental premiums are 100% contractor-paid. Dental premiums for your dependents are also 100% contractor-paid.
- Vision premiums are 100% contractor-paid. Vision premiums for your dependents are also 100% contractor-paid.
|
|
| Eligibility requirements are described here. |
|
|
|
| If I want medical insurance, do I also have to choose vision and dental? |
|
|
No. You may choose just one or any combination of the three. |
|
| Do you have a 401(k) retirement plan? |
|
Parker offers a matching voluntary 401(k) retirement plan to contractors who meet the following criteria:
- Six months of service (from date of first check)
- At least 18 years of age at date of enrollment
Contributions to the 401(k) plan will be deducted from each payroll for which you are paid. Open enrollment occurs quarterly—March, June, September, and December—for deductions beginning in April, July, October, and January. For more details, please request our summary plan description from Benefits Administrator . You may reach her at erical@parkerservices.com or (206) 447-9447. |
|
| What is a Section 125 Premium-Only Plan ? |
|
This is a tax-savings plan that lets you have the cost of your medical and dental insurance premiums deducted from your pay before taxes are calculated. For most employees, this means that taxable income is reduced and take-home pay is increased. You are eligible for this benefit right away, and you may sign up using the form below. For more information, contact Erica Levine at erical@parkerservices.com or (206) 447-9447.
|
|
| What is your education/equipment reimbursement (E/E) fund, and how do I apply? |
|
This is a new program that lets professional-level IT contractors bank points to use for professional development or to purchase new equipment, for example:
- Technical seminars
- Technical certification courses
- Technical certification test fees
- College-level technical courses
- Other technical courses
- Laptops
- Peripherals
- Hardware
|
|
| Beginning December 1, 2006, for every 173 hours that you work on a Parker contract, you’ll be awarded 100 E/E points. As soon as you’ve worked six months with Parker, you can trade in your points. 1 point = $1 reimbursement for eligible and approved technical education or equipment. Use your points right away or keep accumulating them up to 3,600 |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Do you pay referral bonuses? |
|
On a case-by-case basis, for select positions, we do pay referral bonuses for successful referrals. For more information, please contact our Recruiting Manager Scot Baker at sbaker@parkerservices.com or (206) 652-1587. |
|
| How do I establish eligibility for medical, vision, and dental benefit coverage? |
|
| For contractors making $25/hour or more, these benefits may be available the first day of the month following the start date of the first assignment you work for us. |
|
For contractors making less than $25/hour, these benefits may be available when:
- You have worked a minimum of 1000 hours through Parker.
- You have maintained a minimum average of 32 hours worked per week during each five-week eligibility period.
|
|
| Full details regarding eligibility and plan coverage, including an explanation of five-week eligibility, are available from our benefit administrator, Erica Levine. Contact her at erical@parkerservices.com or (206) 447-9447. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| I missed the enrollment deadline; may I begin benefits next month? |
|
It depends on your particular situation. To learn more, please contact Erica Levine at erical@parkerservices.com or call (206) 447-9447. |
|
| If I don’t work for Parker for a while, will that affect my eligibility for benefits? |
|
Benefit hour balances are reset to zero hours for contractors who have had a break in service of 180 days or longer. The last date of service is the date of the individual’s last payroll check. |
|
| Do you cover domestic partners? |
|
Yes. Domestic partners are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage. However, please note that the cost of medical premiums for domestic partners is not deducted before taxes, as it is for contractors and their dependents (per the Section 125 Premium-Only Plan). |
|
| What are the advantages of working for Parker Technical? |
|
We can give you access to challenging work at interesting companies—jobs you otherwise might not hear about. We also provide you with clear, concise statements of work (SOWs), and our recruiters are always easily accessible to you. You can read more about the opportunities we offer here. |
|
| Do you sponsor visas? |
|
At this time we are able to assist with TN visas; however, currently we don’t sponsor H-1B visas. |
|
| I’m already a contractor, and I’ve updated my resume. How do I get it to you? |
|
If you’ve already created a MyParker account, you can do it there. Otherwise, e-mail your resume to us at technical@parkerservices.com. |
|
