The results are in. Voters in California don’t want their rideshare and app-based delivery services to change. By an overwhelming majority, Proposition 22 was approved by California voters. Essentially, that means that unlike all other businesses in California required to meet the strict Dynamex ABC test or, if they are exempted from this test, the more rational multi-factor Borello test, companies in these two gig economy industries now have a safe harbor, provided they confer the benefits set forth in Prop 22 to their independent drivers and couriers.
What are those benefits?
What does this “Yes” vote on Prop 22 mean for other companies using independent contractors?
The full ramifications of this Proposition are not yet known, of course. But apart from providing a safe harbor for rideshare and app-based delivery companies in California, this voter enactment may spur state legislators in other states to consider laws similar to Prop 22. However, only California and Massachusetts have statutes with an ultra-strict ABC test for independent contractor status. Therefore, there is little reason for many states to change their longstanding tests for independent contractor status generally applicable to all industries. Instead, they may choose, as the Florida legislature has done, to carve out an exception for rideshare or app-based delivery companies from the state law test for independent contractor status.
Some companies using independent contractors may view this result on Prop 22 as somehow relieving them from state and federal independent contractor misclassification laws. That would be a mistake. Rideshare and app-based delivery companies still are governed by federal law tests for independent contractor status as well as varying state law classification tests outside of California, and they remain subject to any pending legal challenges under those laws. Other companies that rely upon independent contractors may wish to enhance their compliance with applicable state and federal independent contractor laws. One way to do so is to use a process such as IC Diagnostics, where a company’s independent contractor relationships can be structured, documented, and implemented in a customized and sustainable manner consistent with its current business model. This process includes the use of effectively-drafted arbitration agreements with class action waivers.
The post “Yes” on Prop 22 in California Brings Relief to Rideshare and App Delivery Services; Legal Challenges Will Continue, However appeared first on Independent Contractor Compliance.
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