Can Gig Work Nix Jobless Pay? Pennsylvania Justices to Decide

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is poised to decide whether driving for Uber disqualified an out-of-work behavioral therapist for unemployment insurance, which could have major ramifications for workers turning to the gig economy after coronavirus-driven job losses.

The Unemployment Compensation Board of Review challenged a state court ruling that Donald Lowman remained eligible for jobless benefits despite his subsequent work for Uber Technologies Inc., thus allowing him to receive compensation minus what he earned driving for the ride-hailing company. The review board says Lowman’s driving for Uber was “self employment” under state law, foreclosing any unemployment payments.

The state high ...