A U.K. Supreme Court ruling against Uber Technologies Inc. likely means fines, back pay, and more legal challenges to app-based companies there, but will the U.S. gig economy face a similar blow?
Scrutiny of the independent employment relationship is steadily on the rise with the emergence of what has been called "the gig economy." The legal status and rights of gig economy workers have become the subject of litigation, including class and collective actions. Employers must assess the risks of exposure to liability stemming from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, employee benefits, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation.
A U.K. Supreme Court ruling against Uber Technologies Inc. likely means fines, back pay, and more legal challenges to app-based companies there, but will the U.S. gig economy face a similar blow?