In January of 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor published new rules called theJoint Employer and Independent Contractor Final Rules whichredefined the term "Independent Contractor." The incoming White House Administration issued a notice of intent to withdraw these "Final Rules" to include more "gig" workers in the definition of "employee."During the coronavirus pandemic, "gig" workers became eligible to receive unemployment benefits (albeit less than full-time employees) called PUA "Pandemic Unemployment Assistance" benefits which would otherwise not be extended to independent contractors.

(For background on this issue, a couple articles are included at the top of this question. You are not expected to additional researched or analyze the USDOL rules for this question, but you can do more research to learn aboutLyft, Uberand Amazon drivers if you don't have base knowledge.)

Using the elements for determining employee status in your textbook, explain whether you think Uber and Lyft Drivers are "independent contractors" or "employees." What about Amazon delivery drivers?

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/2021-independent-contractor

https://www.wageandhourlawupdate.com/2021/03/articles/department-of-labor/biden-dol-proposes-withdrawal-of-former-administrations-joint-employer-and-independent-contractor-final-rules/?utm_source=elinfonet