Legal Definitions - casual labor

Casual labor refers to work that is typically temporary, infrequent, or irregular, and generally falls outside the employer's primary business operations. It is characterized by engagements that are often one-time or for very limited, specific purposes, rather than forming part of a regular or ongoing employment relationship.

The key factor in determining if work constitutes casual labor is the duration and regularity of the employment, not the importance or complexity of the task itself. If a person is hired only occasionally, at irregular intervals, or for a specific, short-term project that is incidental to the employer's main activities, it may be considered casual labor. However, even a single, specific job is generally not considered casual if it involves a planned project requiring a relatively long period of service.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of casual labor:

• A homeowner hires a local handyman for a single afternoon to repair a broken fence post and clear out clogged gutters. This is an example of casual labor because the tasks are temporary, specific, and not part of any ongoing employment relationship with the homeowner. The handyman is engaged for a limited, one-time purpose, and the work does not relate to a regular business operation of the homeowner.

• A small accounting firm needs to move its office to a new location and hires a college student for one day to help pack boxes and transport files. This would be considered casual labor. The student's work is incidental to the accounting firm's core business of providing financial services, is for a very limited duration (one day), and is a special, temporary engagement rather than a regular position within the firm.

• A community garden organization holds an annual fundraising gala and hires an event assistant for a few hours on the day of the event to help with guest registration and seating arrangements. This is an instance of casual labor. The assistant's role is highly temporary, tied to a specific annual event, and not part of the organization's regular, ongoing administrative or gardening operations. The engagement is for a limited, non-recurring purpose.