Gig Economy Companies argue that an independent contractor designation gives people the flexibility to work for multiple companies at once, set their own hours and schedules, and to work the way they want. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Workers won a major victory over employers this week in the California Supreme Court. The ruling could force Amazon.com Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and other purveyors of the gig economy to rethink their relationships with workers in America’s most populous state.

Whether it’s Amazon Prime Now delivery workers, Uber or Lyft drivers, or food delivery couriers working for DoorDash or Postmates, these companies have insisted that their workers are independent contractors. That designation has deprived those people of minimum wage guarantees, some Social Security benefits, workers compensation provisions, mandated breaks and other protections to which employees are entitled. The companies argue that an independent contractor designation gives people the flexibility to work for multiple companies at once, set their own hours and schedules, and to work the way they want.

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