After the Gig: How the Sharing Economy Got Hijacked and How to Win It Back

In November 2020, California voters passed Proposition 22, a ballot measure that allows ridesharing companies like Uber to continue classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. By avoiding the employee classification, these sharing economy companies also avoid labour law requirements for employees relating to health care, unemployment insurance, safe working conditions, and other benefits. Proposition 22 was the most expensive ballot measure in California’s history with proponents spending more than $200 million and outspending their opponents by more than 10-to-1 (Ballotpedia, 2020; Skelton, 2020). ‘Going forward, you’ll see us more loudly advocate for new laws like Prop 22’, said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, on an earnings call after the ballot measure passed. ‘And it’s a priority for us to work with governments across the US and the world to make this a reality’ (Korosec, 2020). Schor’s timely work contextualises the Proposition 22...