Uber Lawsuit Verdict: Drivers Are Contractors, Not Employees

I am realizing how many drivers missed this news in September where a US judge determined that Uber drivers are independent contractors rather than employees.  Here are a few articles from a few months ago.

• Uber Lawsuit Verdict: Drivers Are Contractors, Not Employees
• U.S. judge says Uber drivers are not company's employees
• Uber scores a big win in legal fight to keep drivers as independent contractors

Remember that these decisions are a state-level discussion so how these decisions affect will depend on where you reside.

Here's the IRS guideline on how to determine if you are an employee or a contractor. It's broken down into three areas, behavioral control, financial control, and relationship. 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/understanding-employee-vs-contractor-designation

Here's a good list of questions that are being discussed.

• Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does the job?
• Does the company control the business aspects of the worker’s job?  These include arrangements like how the worker is paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, and who provides tools and supplies.
• Is there a written contract or employee benefits such as a pension plan, insurance, or vacation pay?
• Will the relationship continue and is the work a key aspect of the business?

(source)