Uber. Airbnb. They have changed our world. They have been disruptors.
Uber drivers deduct the purchase and operation of their personal automobiles as a business expenses Airbnb apartment owners pretend they are not hotels. They don’t pay hotel taxes. Are they cheating?
Are the gig economy participants independent contractors or employees. Are they entitled to the benefits and protections of employees?
Uber and Airbnb insist the participants are contractors. Participants have control of their lives and can work when they want to. Participants are paid by the job, not by the hour. Uber and Airbnb and the like insist they are technology companies, not companies involved in transportation or housing.
Uber and Airbnb have been winning in court. They have not been winning in state legislatures. California passed a law requiring gig economy workers to be employees. Workers would be scheduled in shifts, have limits on their hours, and would have less autonomy.
Can Uber and Airbnb survive as transportation and housing companies with employee? Can they still be disupters? Will they be more appealing than taxis? Will they be more appealing that conventional hotels? If they have employees instead of contractors?