Taxi Driver Online

A new classification for gig economy workers?
Uber’s employer-like control over independent contractors has become a de rigueur practice - a reference point for other deregulated services. However, the classification of workers in the gig economy needs to be reconsidered, because in fact they are neither employees nor independent contractors.
Liebman – a former chairwoman of the National Labor Relations Board (US) –argues that ‘some people are clearly independent contractors and some are clearly employees, but a third [worker] category becomes necessary when you have people who are borderline’ (Liebman, in Weber, 2015). This proposed new, alternative classification would help protect Uber drivers from the precarious conditions of their current independent contractor status.
A number of scholars recommend the development of a new legal classification of worker for the gig economy - the dependent contractor – who has some but not all the legal protections afforded to employees. (Carboni, 2016; Hass, 2015; Seaquist et al., 2015; Weiss (2015).
What these additional protections and entitlements could be, however, is worth considering. Lamare, Lamm, McDonnell, & White (2015) claim that the working conditions and pay of dependent contractors ‘are often exploitative, compared to contractors who are not reliant on one client’ (p. 76). Also, there is the risk is that dependent contractors will be deprived of both protections and entitlements of employees, along with the flexibility and other benefits experienced by independent contractors (Walker et al., 2011). It is therefore essential to recognise that the dependent contracting arrangement could be possibly be more, exploitative than independent contracting without provision of mandatory rights and entitlements.
Regardless of whether the dependent contractor status is the most appropriate classification to afford gig economy workers, it prompts thought on the need for widespread engagement in ways to improve the current system, where worker exploitation increases as capital grows. Rapid change makes it easy to overlook issues like the ones raised in this piece, but this only normalises Uber’s behaviour which could lead to proliferation of similar practices in the future. If we are to have social and economic
cohesion, where work is decent enough for people to engage actively in our economy, we need to start looking at new ways of responding to the gig economy.

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Grandad,

In a word "gobbledegook"

Others may see this as the way out for the likes of UBER, Deliveroo and many other groups from meeting the obligations of having employees or workers under the direction.

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Grandad,

Uber have already arranged an insurance policy which drivers contribute weekly to which provides sickness benefits etc. if they end up off work not sure if they contribute any themselves

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

That does not satisfy the requirements under the employee and worker categories.

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Grandad,

uber think it does

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

true but they don't write the law......I understand they used to though

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

According to the recent Uber tribunal there are a number of different 'worker' classifications.

But I doubt the likes of Uber will be able for much longer treat the drivers working with them as self-employed any more.

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IDFIMH