California Law Means Contract Workers Are Now Treated As Employees

The Primary: The California state legislature passes a bill that would force companies to treat contract workers the same as full-time employees, a move designed to better the lives of gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers.

• Who? What? Why?: Companies like Uber and Lyft make the bulk of their money off of workers who work flexible hours. The ride-sharing companies are in opposition to the bill and launched a lobbying effort to prevent it from passing.

• The Baseline: It’s not just Uber and Lyft drivers that would benefit, though. Janitors, truckers, construction workers, nightclub strippers and contract coders, to name a few, would all gain new benefits and protections.