Present at the LaborLab Summit 2026
Introduction
Worker misclassification occurs when workers who function as employees are labeled as independent contractors. This can remove access to important protections such as overtime pay, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and the ability to organize collectively.
To help workers, organizers, and advocates understand and identify misclassification, My Character References (MCR) developed the ABC – Always Be Classified correctly™ framework.
The framework provides a simple tool to analyze employment relationships and begin conversations about worker protections.
About the ABC Framework
The ABC framework helps identify whether a worker is properly classified.
A worker should generally be classified as an employee unless all three conditions are true.
A — Freedom from Control
The worker controls how the work is performed.
B — Work Outside the Business
The work performed is outside the employer’s usual course of business.
C — Independent Business
The worker operates an independent business serving multiple clients.
Why This Matters
Misclassification has become increasingly common in industries such as:
- caregiving
- domestic work
- gig platforms
- delivery and logistics
- subcontracted service work
When workers are misclassified, it can weaken protections and create barriers to organizing and fair labor standards.
LaborLab Summit Presentation
The ABC framework will be presented during the LaborLab Summit 2026 in the workshop:
“ABC Is the Floor: Worker Misclassification as a Union-Busting Tactic.”
The session explored how worker misclassification can affect organizing efforts and how the ABC framework can help workers and advocates identify these issues.
Resources
Download materials from the ABC workshop:
• ABC Worker Misclassification Toolkit
• ABC Organizer Cheat Sheet
• ABC Worker Handout
• Workshop Slides
About My Character References (MCR)
My Character References (MCR) provides worker-centered training and workforce development programs focused on caregiver education, worker empowerment, and misclassification awareness.
Contact
For training opportunities or collaboration:
Carmel Foster
My Character References (MCR)
Email: mycharacterreferences@gmail.com
The ABC – Always Be Classified correctly™ framework will be presented during the LaborLab Summit 2026 workshop titled “ABC Is the Floor: Worker Misclassification as a Union-Busting Tactic.”
About the Author
Carmel Foster is the founder of My Character References (MCR) and a workforce advocate focused on caregiver training, worker classification awareness, and workforce development. She has worked extensively with domestic workers and non-medical caregivers and has been involved in national conversations on labor protections and workforce policy.
Carmel testified during the passage of California’s AB5 legislation, helping bring attention to worker misclassification in domestic work and caregiving sectors. She continues to advocate for worker education and fair labor standards.
Carmel is also the co-founder of the Early Kidney Detection Foundation (EKDF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving kidney health outcomes through early detection, education, and caregiver support.
Her workshop “ABC Is the Floor: Worker Misclassification as a Union-Busting Tactic” will be presented at the LaborLab Summit 2026.
ABC – Always Be Classified correctly™ is a framework developed by My Character References (MCR).