Sarah M. Block
Thu, 05/25/2023
On May 15, 2023, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill that protects rideshare drivers’ right to paid family and medical leave into a law. The new law requires companies like Uber and Lyft to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a medical event or birth of a child. Significantly, the law ensures that this paid leave will be funded by the rideshare companies. The law also permanently codifies the right to unemployment benefits for rideshare drivers.
The Washington law, which will become effective on July 23, 2023, is the first of its kind in the country. It is significant because rideshare drivers and other “gig workers” are typically classified as “independent contractors” rather than employees, so are exempt from eligibility for various labor protections. Although the new Washington law does not convert rideshare drivers into employees, it nevertheless expands access to important labor protections to gig workers who would not typically be legally entitled to them.
MSE has substantial experience representing individuals who have been wrongfully misclassified as “independent contractors” and has successfully recovered thousands of dollars in unpaid overtime compensation owed to these workers. If you believe you have been misclassified, or if you believe you have been wrongfully denied labor protections like paid family leave or overtime compensation as a result of your independent contractor status, contact MSE today for further information about your rights.
