Field Nation

Field Nation
Type of businessPrivate Company
Available inEnglish
Founded2008
Headquarters
Minneapolis, MN
,
United States
Key peopleMynul Khan CEO
Industry
  • Internet
  • Freelance Management System
  • Field Service Marketplace
Employees200 (2019)[1]
URLwww.fieldnation.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired
Current statusActive

Field Nation is an online matching service for IT contractors and other freelancers.[2]

History

The platform was launched in March 2008 by Mynul Khan. Within 2 years Field Nation broke even and by 2014 posted more than $60 million in revenue.[3][4][5]

Field Nation acquired Field Solutions in May 2015.[5][6]

In September 2015, Field Nation raised $30 million dollars in venture capital, led by Susquehanna Growth Equity, a subsidiary of Susquehanna International Group.[7][8]

Software

Field Nation matches contract IT and other freelancers with corporate clients through an online marketplace that features 100,000 service providers.[2] Businesses use Field Nation's software to manage independent contractors, existing employees, or both.

The Field Nation mobile app provides real-time work order tracking, ability to negotiate counteroffers, access to payment history, signature capture, and uploading of documents.[9]

Recognition

Field Nation was ranked for two consecutive years in the Inc. 500, a list of the fastest growing companies in America. It was ranked 43rd in the United States in 2013 and 445th in 2014. The company was also ranked 4th fastest growing company in Minnesota in 2014.[10]

Field Nation was recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of 2013's Fast 50 companies and was ranked Minnesota's 2nd fastest growing private company.[11][12]

CEO Mynul Khan was named 1 of 10 Minnesota business leaders to watch in 2015 by the Star Tribune.[13]

Field Nation received the 2015 Tekne award for IT services awarded by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA).[14]

The company was named to Star Tribune's 2017 list of top places to work.[15]

Controversy

The platform has faced controversies related to labor law violations and issues relating to unlicensed contracting. The core issue involves both the classification of workers and the compliance of Field Nation’s practices with labor laws. Critics contend that Field Nation might misclassify workers as independent contractors instead of employees, potentially leading to the denial of benefits and protections. Additionally, concerns are raised about unlicensed contractors working through the platform, which could further complicate legal compliance and the quality of work.

A notable legal case highlighting these concerns is Johnson v. Field Nation.[16] In this case, workers in California alleged that Field Nation's practices violated labor laws by improperly classifying them as independent contractors. The case examined whether these workers should be considered employees with associated rights and protections under labor laws.

The outcome of this class action case was that the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that Field Nation had indeed misclassified workers as independent contractors. This decision highlighted that these workers were, in fact, employees entitled to the rights and protections under labor laws. The ruling underscored the need for clearer standards and fair treatment of gig economy workers. This case set a precedent for how similar platforms might need to adjust their practices to comply with labor laws.

References

  1. ^ Nelson, Todd (November 10, 2019). "New CFO sees 'huge untapped market' for Field Nation". Star Tribune.
  2. ^ a b Neil St. Anthony, "Field Nation Receives 30 Million From Susquehanna Growth Equity", Sept. 18, 2015. Retrieved Dec. 2, 2015.
  3. ^ Kenzie Zimmer, "Field Nation Helps Connect Employers and Contractors","Twin Cities Business Magazine", April 23, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  4. ^ “Field Nation Profile”, "Inc. Magazine". Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Katharine Grayson, “Field Nation Snaps Up Twin Cities Competitor Field Solutions”, "Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal" May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  6. ^ Andrew Karpie, “Field Nation Acquires Field Solutions: Background, Analysis, and Commentary”, "Spend Matters", May 18th, 2015. Retrieved May 24th, 2015.
  7. ^ Mark Reilly, "Field Nation Lands 30 Million in Funding, Will hire 100+","Twin Cities Business Magazine", Sept 10, 2015. Retrieved Dec. 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Susquehanna Growth Equity Leads $30M Investment in Field Nation". Wall Street Journal. 2015-09-10. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  9. ^ Kaitlyn Hall, “Field Nation Launches Android App” Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, "SMB Nation", February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  10. ^ Editors of Inc., “2014 Inc. 500”, "Inc. Magazine", Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  11. ^ Kim Johnson, “Fast 50 2013: Minnesota’s fastest-growing private companies, "The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal", October 23rd, 2013. Retrieved May 25th, 2015.
  12. ^ Kevin, Joshua. "fixgee". Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  13. ^ “Innovators, change agents, entrepreneurs: Here are 10 Minnesota business leaders to watch in 2015”, "Star Tribune" January 4, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015/
  14. ^ “Fifteen Minnesota High Tech Innovators Honored at Annual Tekne Awards” Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, "Minnesota High Tech Association" November 19th, 2015. Retrieved Dec 2, 2015/
  15. ^ "Top Workplaces" Archived 2017-10-30 at the Wayback Machine, "Star Tribune" June 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017
  16. ^ [1], "FLOYD JOHNSON, AS A REPRESENTATIVE AND AGGRIEVED EMPLOYER PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL ACT vs. Field Nation, LLC, et al" April 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024