Legal Definitions - casual labor

Casual labor refers to work that is done on a one-time or very sporadic basis and does not further the business of the employer. It is not defined in any state statute, but is generally considered to be work that is occasional, at irregular intervals, and for limited and temporary purposes.

• A person who is hired to mow a lawn once a month is a casual laborer.
• A person who is hired to paint a house for a week is a casual laborer.
• A carpenter who is enlisted for the duration of a construction project is not a casual laborer if the project is planned and executed over an extended period of time.

The examples illustrate that casual labor is work that is not ongoing or permanent. The first two examples show work that is done on a sporadic basis, while the third example shows that even if the work is for a longer period of time, it may still be considered casual if it is not part of a planned project.