8 years ago
5
Uber drivers are employees, not contractors: California Labor Commission
A San Francisco-based driver for smartphone-based ride-hailing service Uber is an employee, not a contractor, according to a ruling by the California Labor Commission. The ruling, filed on Tuesday in state court in San Francisco, said Uber is "involved in every aspect of the operation." It is the latest in a host of legal and regulatory challenges facing Uber in the United States and other countries. Uber had argued its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, and that it is "nothing...
Continue Reading https://www.yahoo.com
Join the Discussion
Innovating is a hard business. Find something new that isn't regulated, and you can be damn sure politicians and bureaucrats will be falling over themselves to plug the hole.
See Tesla for another fine example.
From the court documents
I wonder if that could affect contractors in other segments. For example, a tech worker provides its own computer but needs the company's IP to do the actual work.
If Uber found a clean way to allow drivers to set their own rate, it sounds like that would be enough to make them independent contractors instead of employees. That could also encourage drivers to provide better service to justify a higher rate and improve competition, though it could cut into Uber's profits.
If Uber asked for a minimum charge and then allowed fluctuations above that number then that should also placate this if your theory holds true. I mean I hate to compare Uber to WWE but the wrestlers are considered independent contractors and are offered a base sum and then usually negotiate bonus pay for shows on top of that. The courts have so far upheld that WWE Wrestlers are independent contractors.
I find this a controversial topic in so many countries. I've read from the perspective of both sides involved, and I have to say I somewhat agree with both.
Sometimes there just isn't a simple, right solution to a complex problem.