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Uber and Lyft ordered by California judge to classify drivers as employees

theverge.com

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Re: Uber and Lyft ordered by California judge to classify drivers as employees

#4
post #2

> Uber and Lyft say drivers prefer the flexibility of working as freelancers What would prevent Uber and Lyft from continuing to let employee drivers set their own hours?

Because benefits like healthcare are gated on the number of hours worked. Uber isn't going to (and can't possibly afford to) pay healthcare for someone who drives 2 hours a week.

Re: Uber and Lyft ordered by California judge to classify drivers as employees

#6
post #2

> Uber and Lyft say drivers prefer the flexibility of working as freelancers What would prevent Uber and Lyft from continuing to let employee drivers set their own hours?

Nothing, but since now they have the added cost of health insurance, minimal wage, etc, it would make more sense for them to arrange pre-set shifts for the drivers to optimize for supply/demand based on time of the day.

Some drivers would like that arrangement, especially if that's their full time job. But some drivers who do this for supplemental income may not be able to meet the demand of the new fixed schedule set by Uber/Lyft.

Re: Uber and Lyft ordered by California judge to classify drivers as employees

#7
It strikes me that these articles are always biased in the direction of the benefits of being an employee. I have several friends that actively choose to be contractors because they prefer the (legally protected) flexibility to decide their own hours, among other things. It's a personal decision, and there are upsides and downsides in both directions.

Sure - some (non-insignificant) portion of Uber and Lyft drivers would like to be employees. But surely some (also non-insignificant) portion would prefer to be contractors for Uber and Lyft and keep the legal protections that come with that.

These articles always make it seem like it's a no-brainer win for all drivers no matter what, but it's never seemed so clear cut to me.

Re: Uber and Lyft ordered by California judge to classify drivers as employees

#8
post #3

"Uber and Lyft say drivers prefer the flexibility of working as freelancers" Doesn't this lawsuit prove otherwise?

Short answer is no. This lawsuit, and particularly this motion for preliminary injunction, was filed by the State of California--not drivers.

Re: Uber and Lyft ordered by California judge to classify drivers as employees

#10
post #3

"Uber and Lyft say drivers prefer the flexibility of working as freelancers" Doesn't this lawsuit prove otherwise?

>Doesn't this lawsuit prove otherwise?

No, you can have a lawsuit for anything and from anyone. All this article suggests is that some Uber/Lyft drivers want to work as full time employees.

In the case of this suit, it was filed by the California government, not drivers.

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