A self-employed individual or business who is paid for undertaking a service and works under a contract for services rather than a contract of employment. The business is usually termed as a client rather than an employer. In contrast to employees, contractors usually control the hours they work and the timing, tools and methods used to complete a task, as well as deal with their own income tax payments and NI contributions. An independent contractor is not an employee and, therefore, is not covered by the full legal protection (of the various Employment Acts) afforded to employees. Independent contractors will, however, usually be entitled to the same rights and conditions as employees with regard to holiday entitlements, along with their basic rights to health and safety, and not to be discriminated against.