Remote workers, gig workers, contractors, and third-party staff are essential contributors to today’s workforce — yet they often operate in the shadows of traditional HR oversight. The modern workforce includes a growing number of “invisible” employees. While these contributors are vital to organizational success, they present unique legal and cultural risks that HR must address proactively. This session explores how HR professionals can extend their reach to engage and protect these unseen workers without overstepping legal boundaries. Topics include misclassification risks under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), joint employer liability, and compliance with OSHA and anti-discrimination laws across distributed teams. Attendees will learn how to design inclusive engagement strategies that foster belonging, accountability, and compliance—regardless of employment status or location. We’ll also examine how to build scalable HR systems that ensure consistent onboarding, training, and performance management for non-traditional workers. Through practical tools and case examples, participants will gain insights into mitigating legal exposure while strengthening organizational culture. HR professionals are the architects of inclusion and the protectors of equity—even for those who operate outside the spotlight. This session empowers HR to see the unseen, reduce risk, and build a resilient workforce that reflects the full spectrum of talent.