DOL Independent Contractor Rule Redo Under White House Review

A Labor Department proposal to define independent contractor status under federal wage and hour law is under review at the White House budget office, one of the final steps before the proposal becomes public.

The rulemaking (RIN: 1235-AA43) is the second attempt by the Biden administration to rewrite how it interprets whether workers should be classified as independent contractors—frequently used by tech companies Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.—or full employees who are protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Shortly after Biden took office, the DOL rescinded the Trump administration’s standard that made it easier for businesses ...