Law360 Quotes New York Locke Lord Partner Richard Reibstein on Budding Gig Worker Protections

Richard Reibstein, a New York Partner in Locke Lord’s Labor and Employment Practice Group and co-head of the Firm’s Independent Contractor Compliance and Misclassification Practice, was quoted by Law360 regarding budding minimum wage and gig worker protections in Minneapolis and New York City. As cities set plans to add minimum wage standards for workers, online food delivery platforms have responded with the potential of leaving said cities and restructuring tipping prompts on their platforms. Reibstein explains that companies previously fought local wage requirements through litigation, legislation and ballot measures. The latest responses by the companies show how the issues have evolved from a legal one to an economic one.

“In New York City, the legal issues over the independent contractor status of food delivery workers has now taken a back seat to the economics,” Reibstein says. “As limited gig worker protections take effect, such as a minimum wage, companies could see fewer lawsuits by such workers alleging independent contractor misclassification.”

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