As an Independent Contractor, you have the right to accept or reject work orders — unless you have signed a contract that defines your required coverage area.
The NMFS Independent Contractor Agreement clearly states:
“You agree that your area of assignment is at least the county or parish in which you reside, as well as any other county or parish you agree to accept work orders in.”
This means that once you agree in writing to service a county or parish, NMFS relies on you to service that entire area.
Many contractors sign the agreement without fully reviewing this section. However, the expectation is straightforward:
If a work order is located inside your agreed coverage area, you are expected to accept it.
If a contractor repeatedly declines work within their own contracted territory, NMFS has no choice but to assign that work to another contractor who is willing to service the area.
A Simple Example
If a homeowner hires a plumber to service a two-story home, the homeowner expects both floors to be serviced — not just the one that is convenient. If the plumber refuses to service half of the home, the homeowner will find someone who will.
The same principle applies here.
Contractors are free to determine where they wish to work before signing the agreement. However, once a coverage area is agreed upon in writing, NMFS must rely on that commitment to properly serve our clients.