gig economy

26 Aug

Lyft’s belated Pet Mode matches drivers to those traveling with their furry friends

stp2y0 CommentsNewscat, dog, gear, gig economy, Lyft, news, pets

Monday is National Dog Day, and Lyft seized the opportunity to catch up on a feature equivalent to one Uber has had for about five years. When heading somewhere with a furry companion, Lyft’s new Pet Mode lets you designate that you’ll bring them along, ensuring you’ll get a driver to accommodate your dog or cat.Like Uber Pet, Lyft’s Pet Mode adds a surcharge — in this case, $4 plus tax. The company says the fee goes directly to the driver.The new Pet Mode could’ve come in handy a year ago during the saga of Tux the Cat, who was…

25 Jul

California Supreme Court Rules That Uber and Lyft Drivers Will Remain Independent Contractors

stp2y0 CommentsRAG modelsgig economy, laws, Lyft, tech policy and law, uber

The California Supreme Court on Thursday ruled unanimously that drivers for app-based companies including Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash will remain independent contractors, as opposed to employees. The decision, upholding a state ballot measure called Proposition 22, was considered a major victory for the gig-economy companies.The question of whether those who drive for the companies should be treated as employees or contractors has spurred a yearslong legal battle in the state. In 2020, California voters approved Proposition 22, allowing app-based companies to continue to treat their workers as independent contractors. That vote reversed an earlier court ruling that found such companies…