Is your Pilates studio switching you from a 1099 independent contractor to a W-2 employee? Before you get offended, quit your job, or assume your studio owner is changing the rules for the wrong reasons, there's a bigger conversation we need to have.
In this episode of Chat EYT, Jessica Spillane tackles one of the most misunderstood and potentially contentious issues in the Pilates industry: the relationship between studio owners and teachers.
Drawing on real-world scenarios and her own experience as a studio owner, Jessica explores why the traditional independent contractor model may not fit the way many Pilates studios actually operate, the risks of worker misclassification, and why employment agreements and non-solicitation clauses can matter more than you think.
She also shares a personal story about a business partnership that took an unexpected turn, illustrating how quickly circumstances can change when the right protections aren't in place.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The key differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees in a Pilates studio.
- Why the way a studio operates can matter more than what a worker is called.
- The potential financial and legal consequences of worker misclassification.
- Non-solicitation agreements, client relationships, and protecting the business you've worked so hard to build.
- Why contracts aren't necessarily a sign of distrust—and how they can protect both teachers and owners.
- How better communication can prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary tension.
Plus, Jessica shares exciting updates on the EYT network, the upcoming Stream EYT class library, and the development of Get EYT booking software designed by teachers and studio owners, for teachers and studio owners.
Whether you're a Pilates instructor, an independent contractor, or a studio owner navigating growth and change, this is a conversation worth having.
Know someone in the Pilates industry who needs to hear this? Share this episode, leave a five-star rating, and help us grow the conversations that move our community forward.
As always, exhale.
