Vincent Vernuccio, president of the Institute for the American Worker, stated in a Sept. 2 episode of the Lunch Hour podcast that gig workers value the flexibility that comes with being independent contractors as opposed to traditional employees.
“The workplace and the economy have changed drastically in the last hundred years, but the law hasn’t caught up,” said Vernuccio. “We’re in a different world now—workers want flexibility, independence, and the ability to structure work around their lives.”
According to Vernuccio, gig workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers appreciate setting their own hours and scheduling their work around other personal commitments, which is not always possible in traditional employment settings. However, he said that government policies at both the state and federal levels have tried to force more gig workers into the employee classification.
Forbes reported that a study of gig economy participants found that 82% chose to take that type of work, compared to 13% who said they started doing gig work because they couldn’t find traditional employment. The study also revealed that 63% of workers value the flexibility that comes with being an independent worker, with some requiring flexibility due to family commitments, health conditions, or having multiple jobs. Some respondents indicated they make more money as gig workers because they choose to work more hours.
The U.S. Department of Labor introduced a new rule that would legally classify more gig workers as employees, which took effect in March, according to Investopedia. In January, a group of freelancers sued over the rule, saying they wanted to remain independent contractors. Marc Freedman, vice president of workplace policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the new rule “will decrease flexibility and opportunity and result in lost earning opportunities for millions of Americans.”
Prior to co-founding the Institute for the American Worker, Vernuccio served in the George W. Bush Administration’s Department of Labor, according to the Institute’s website. He is also a senior policy advisor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
