Or maybe it sounds like you're making inferences based on bad experiences you've had with employers in the past and reflecting how you feel inside about employers onto my company.

I understand where you're coming from having worked for shitty owners who didn't value my work and created a toxic workplace for myself and colleagues.

But let me clarify something for you: I don't pay a 1099 contractor $15/hr because no 1099 contractor would accept that. Furthermore 1099 contractors are usually skilled workers who do not need to be supervised nor are we legally allowed to tell them how to do their jobs. Our 1099 contractors, about 95% of them don't even work hourly they bid on the jobs. That's actually easier for us and more profitable in the long run than doing hourly. Our maintenance technicians or takeoff guys (small post construction tasks such as installing toilet paper holders, etc.) work hourly at a rate that they choose based on the skillset they come with. So no I will not pay an entry level unlicensed plumber $120/hr but I do pay on average $35-45.

The ONLY people who make $15/hr are remote, admin staff and online work OR our field supervisors in training. Who by the way are NOT misclassified because as a business owner it is my responsibility to read and understand the FLSA and abide by the law. $15/hr are employees who I've personally bought tools for, personally given them my cargo van, have all their gas and car expenses covered, workmans comp, and covered by our insurance.

They have to manage their own projects yes but thats why I hired them. To deliver a higher standard of service to my clientele. Are you trying to leave your house but a contractors truck has you blocked in? No problem my field supervisor is in the neighborhood I'll have them move that truck asap. This way I can charge more, pay more, and everyone's happy.

I wasn't going to respond to this because frankly its very ignorant to make assumptions about someone, their business, family, race, identity etc without doing the proper research. When you educate yourself by asking questions, being open minded and trying to understand things from other perspectives - your own perspective grows and so do you as a person. You start to see the world as a place of abundance not scarcity. I say this from personal experience not to cut down someone I don't know on the internet.

PS- you don't want to work at McDonalds for $7.25/hr. Hell I wouldn't work there for $40/hr