37 votes

New Zealand supreme court ruled that Uber drivers are employees

3 comments

  1. Raistlin
    (edited )
    Link
    Under NZ employment law, it's difficult to see how they're anything but. I mean, I wouldn't put it pass NACT to rush something through to undo this, but I don't know how much political capital...

    Under NZ employment law, it's difficult to see how they're anything but. I mean, I wouldn't put it pass NACT to rush something through to undo this, but I don't know how much political capital they'll want to spend on something like this when the coming election is on a knife's edge.

    13 votes
  2. preposterous
    Link
    The lesson here is that you can ignore the law for 15+ years (maybe more? Didn’t check how old uber is) and have little to no consequence besides saving a bunch of money. The cost of defending...

    The lesson here is that you can ignore the law for 15+ years (maybe more? Didn’t check how old uber is) and have little to no consequence besides saving a bunch of money.
    The cost of defending these lawsuits here and there around the world is negligible compared to the savings from not employing those people. Even then it’s a whopping FOUR drivers after years of procedure. The message once more is clear: cheat and you’ll be handsomely rewarded.

    12 votes
  3. SteeeveTheSteve
    Link
    Hate hearing it only applies to 4 drivers, but that's a large step in the right direction at least. This reminds me, the other day I was talking to a driver (in USA) and he tells me these...

    The decision only applies to the four drivers named in the case.

    Hate hearing it only applies to 4 drivers, but that's a large step in the right direction at least.

    This reminds me, the other day I was talking to a driver (in USA) and he tells me these companies don't allow older cars, they have a list of what you can drive. I wasn't expecting that, thought you could drive any car as long as it was safe and clean. You'll never see an Uber driver roll up in a classic.

    (And just in case you’re not sure what the gig economy is, it’s a labour market characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.)

    Wait, that sounds like.. Quests! They're real?! Someone! Quick! Create a business employing gig workers and call it "The Adventurers Guild"!

    9 votes