[walkerbrown]

Uber misclassifies en masse the drivers it employs and shifts vehicle depreciation costs onto these "small businesses". Our taxes pay for healthcare costs which should rightfully be borne by the drivers' employer. I would say that's a non-negligible social cost.

[zozbot234]

It's weird to describe this as "employment" when many and perhaps most drivers these days are simultaneously "employed" by both Uber and Lyft, serving rides for both. This kind of informal relationship is a lot closer to contracting than traditional employment.

[uberex]

Is it quacking like employment? Sort of and sort of not.

Not: very flexible hours, not exclusive, driver can switch customer? driver provides tools

Is: driver cannot subcontract, has to follow set rules (maybe that makes is franchise like?)

Of course they took something that was employment and made it not employment at scale.

[walkerbrown]

It’s perfectly normal to have two W-2 employers.

On the other hand, it’s odd that these “contractors” can’t set prices for their services and risk deactivation if they decline the price Uber offers.