Gig Economy Renews Debate Over Whether Contractors Are Really Workers
Courts are weighing whether some contractors for firms like Uber and Grubhub should receive the rights and benefits afforded to employees — a choice one judge calls an "all-or-nothing" proposition.
Freelancers and contract workers make up the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce, and are expected to surpass half of all workers within a decade. But, under current employment law, these workers are ineligible for most of the rights and benefits of traditional employees.
As their ranks grow so, too, do the court challenges from workers who say they are improperly classified as contractors, and wrongfully denied eligibility for things like unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and protections under most federal anti-discrimination laws.
Popular gig platforms —
