Answering industry calls for a 21st-century solution to a 21st-century problem, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers recently introduced a bill in Congress that would create a hybrid job classification for gig economy workers that would allow businesses to avoid misclassification claims and give gig workers the flexibility they crave. However, some worker advocates and labor unions are already expressing their opposition to the “Worker Flexibility and Choice Act,” introduced on July 20, claiming that it is an anti-worker law that would short-change gig workers from receiving minimum wage and overtime pay. What do you need to know about this bill – and what are its chances of ever becoming law?
Summary of Bill: 3 Steps to Flexibility
The bill, officially styled as HB 8442 and introduced by Henry Cuellar (D-TEX), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Michelle Steel (R-CAL), would create a third category of worker beyond just “employee” or “independent contractor.” If it passes, we’d add to the list “worker flexibility agreements” governing relationships between businesses and workers. According to the bill sponsors, the proposed law would combine the flexibility of independent work while providing workers with certain workplace protections and benefits they are not currently guaranteed.
In order to qualify for this new classification:
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