Magical Ranch / Linda Siegel hires staff as employees, claiming the two week trial period starts with a $10 hrly wage. Employees are instructed to arrive exactly on time& not 5 minutes early or late. Employees are given very specific instructions on how to clean stalls, handle horses, etc. Employees are requested to go to other locations (boarding facilities) to work additional horses. Employees are instructed to provide their own grooming gear. Employees are not reimbursed for driving time as well as time on the clock while travelling to other locations (even though she states she will reimburse gas at minmal rate). Employees are instructed not to carry cell phones or they will have to provide her with their bill and will be docked wages per phone call while on the clock.
Linda does not inform employees upfront that she files a 1099 form (independent contractor); which means the hired help must pay their own taxes/medicare / social security. This reduces their hourly rate to minimum wage or less.
Linda has burned many highly respected horse professionals from farriers, stablehands (w degrees from UC Davis), trainers, etc. She has a very high turnover rate because once these individuals are on to her scam, they leave. Linda preys on young horsemen who are naive to tax laws.
Linda's husband is an attorney. She threatens legal retaliation to those who consider standing up to her.
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