NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee has received a $499,000 federal grant for efforts to stop worker misclassification.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Labor, the money will help Tennessee's unemployment insurance tax programs identify instances where employees are misclassified as independent contracts. The money will also go to detecting instances where employees fail to report the wages paid to workers.

U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez said in a news release that the grants are intended to help "level the playing field for employers while ensuring workers receive appropriate rights and protections."

Tennessee was one of 19 states to receive a grant.