Yeah, this has worried me, too. I'd be interested in the best way to hire "contractor like" positions on a W2... e.g. I pay you as an employee but we're both clear on the expectation that you are not permanent.

I mean, I am small enough to dodge the 'wrongful termination' bullet, but I still have to pay unemployment insurance, and really, I think it's just fair to be up front and clear with people about where they stand. I mean, that part can be done verbally, but it would be good to hear what the 'correct' way to do it would be.