Labor Department Cements Rule Change on Gig Worker Status (1)

The US Department of Labor released a final rule Tuesday that will make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors, a policy change that’s being closely followed by major gig economy players including Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.

The rule, which could also have sweeping impacts across construction, trucking, and health care, changes how the DOL determines whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Contractors in business for themselves don’t qualify for the same minimum wage or overtime pay protections afforded to employees, among other rights ...