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> If Uber drivers become employees, I'd expect Uber would have them work fixed schedules rather than have free working hours. In California, this is one of the
by csa 6y ago
> If Uber drivers become employees, I'd expect Uber would have them work fixed schedules rather than have free working hours.
In California, this is one of the tests of whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee — who dictates the hours worked.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up biting many drivers in the hurt. Uber can easily say “You want employee benefits? No problem. We tell you when to work, and you probably won’t like your schedule.”
And the crappy schedule may not be because Uber is being ornery — it may just be when they need drivers.
- NovemberWhiskey 6y agoBizarre thought experiment: if Uber drivers are employed by Uber; shouldn't independent taxi drivers be employed by the city that licenses them on the same basis? A significant fraction of taxi drivers (>25%) are self-employed. They own their own vehicles and set their own hours of work. In many cases, they're actually obliged by the terms of their licenses to take fares (actually less independent than Uber drivers). The fares they charge are set by their licensing authorities, rather than being negotiable.
- viscanti 6y agoIf the argument is that workers should be treated as employees because of the benefits given to employees (like health care), then you could apply that same argument here. The weird thing for me is to see politicians who advocate for universal health care also advocating for more workers being classified as employees. It seems like one of the big benefits of universal health care is that it decouples heath care and earning money, but I rarely see politicians making that argument.