Would it be OK for the cleaner to subcontract the work?
If so, it could be legit. If not, they're employees. From the original thread, I don't get the impression he'd be OK with subcontracting, so he is probably non-compliant.
That said, I don't think its a huge deal. He'll get audited, he'll pay the owed taxes and penalties and move on with his life. I've been audited by the ESC, its really not that big of a deal.
He's also learned that his customers will pay a premium for good service, so if he has to raise the price, big deal. He'll be fine.
Would it be OK for the cleaner to subcontract the work?
If so, it could be legit. If not, they're employees. From the original thread, I don't get the impression he'd be OK with subcontracting, so he is probably non-compliant.
That said, I don't think its a huge deal. He'll get audited, he'll pay the owed taxes and penalties and move on with his life. I've been audited by the ESC, its really not that big of a deal.
He's also learned that his customers will pay a premium for good service, so if he has to raise the price, big deal. He'll be fine.