What does 'Are you a 1099 company' mean?

The phrase "Are you a 1099 company?" refers to whether a business classifies its workers as independent contractors rather than employees. In the U.S., businesses issue a Form 1099 to report payments made to independent contractors for tax purposes. This classification affects tax obligations, benefits, and labor rights for the workers involved. So, a 1099 company typically has a workforce that is not entitled to the same benefits and protections as employees.