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I've read posts on here where people refer to themselves as independent contractors. Just because Uber has created that label and uses it to their advantage doesn't make me an independent contractor in my mind.
One of the businesses I sold a few years ago, supplied goods and services to large corporations. In most cases, I was considered a independent contractor. I also employed many independent contactors in the course of my business. They were set up as smaller businesses that would set their prices and I would hire them on a as needed basis. They made their own prices, had their own business models and I decided if I wanted to hire them or not.
I believe that Uber drivers are nothing like real independent contactors:
>> An Uber driver does not set their own prices.
>> An Uber driver can be fired (disconnected) for something as arbitrary as having people who are too drunk to walk, give them a bad rating.
>> An Uber driver needs to work at ridiculous times of day if they want to take advantage of profitable times. Saying that the independent driver can set their own hours is misleading. I can't imagine that many of us would choose to be working in the middle of the night driving drunks around, if it weren't for the fact that this is a good time to make money.
>> An Uber driver is restricted by what type and age of car they use to "run their business."
>> An Uber driver is not free to make accepting tips part of his business model.
>> An Uber driver will be disconnected (fired) for handing out promotions even if the promotions are part of his business model. (Uber will fire you for handing out Lyft promo cards.)
>> Uber drivers do not set surges. A true independent contractor could charge extra for premium times. EX: Sundays, holidays etc.
I have plenty more examples, but my point has been made.
I contend that Uber uses the phrase independent contractor only to avoid playing by the rules. They have created a new industry with so many legal questions, they are now flooding the court system, as the lawmakers try to sort out all of their illegal activities. This is exactly what Napster did with illegal music downloads. (Coincidently the same business model that Travis initially played with in the first company he bankrupted.)
I believe that Uber also uses this phrase, as a marketing tool to persuade new drivers to dive into ride sharing. These drivers do not seem to understand what a real independent contractor is.
One of the businesses I sold a few years ago, supplied goods and services to large corporations. In most cases, I was considered a independent contractor. I also employed many independent contactors in the course of my business. They were set up as smaller businesses that would set their prices and I would hire them on a as needed basis. They made their own prices, had their own business models and I decided if I wanted to hire them or not.
I believe that Uber drivers are nothing like real independent contactors:
>> An Uber driver does not set their own prices.
>> An Uber driver can be fired (disconnected) for something as arbitrary as having people who are too drunk to walk, give them a bad rating.
>> An Uber driver needs to work at ridiculous times of day if they want to take advantage of profitable times. Saying that the independent driver can set their own hours is misleading. I can't imagine that many of us would choose to be working in the middle of the night driving drunks around, if it weren't for the fact that this is a good time to make money.
>> An Uber driver is restricted by what type and age of car they use to "run their business."
>> An Uber driver is not free to make accepting tips part of his business model.
>> An Uber driver will be disconnected (fired) for handing out promotions even if the promotions are part of his business model. (Uber will fire you for handing out Lyft promo cards.)
>> Uber drivers do not set surges. A true independent contractor could charge extra for premium times. EX: Sundays, holidays etc.
I have plenty more examples, but my point has been made.
I contend that Uber uses the phrase independent contractor only to avoid playing by the rules. They have created a new industry with so many legal questions, they are now flooding the court system, as the lawmakers try to sort out all of their illegal activities. This is exactly what Napster did with illegal music downloads. (Coincidently the same business model that Travis initially played with in the first company he bankrupted.)
I believe that Uber also uses this phrase, as a marketing tool to persuade new drivers to dive into ride sharing. These drivers do not seem to understand what a real independent contractor is.
