Are independent contractors allowed to choose which clients or groups they work with?

Independent contractors have the autonomy to select their clients or groups they wish to work with, aligning with their preferences and expertise. This flexibility is a key characteristic of independent contractor status—unlike employees who typically have assigned tasks and clients by their employer. Independent contractors manage their own business practices, which includes the discretion to accept or decline work based on various factors such as availability, interest, and suitability to their skills. This freedom allows them to create a portfolio of work that reflects their professional interests and goals.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of independent contracting. For instance, the notion that they must take all clients assigned contradicts the definition of an independent contractor, who operates independently and is not bound by an employer's directives in the same way employees are. Additionally, suggesting that choices are restricted to certain agreements or contingent upon a timeframe misrepresents the inherent freedom that comes with being an independent contractor.