Lyft Driver Files Wage, Break Suit Under California ‘Deputy’ Law

A Lyft driver in California sued the ridesharing company for multiple wage and breaks violations, using the state’s unique law that deputizes employees to enforce workplace rules.

David Biggs alleges that Lyft willfully misclassified him and other drivers as independent contractors instead of as employees, thus depriving them of certain wages, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and reimbursement for business-related expenses.

Biggs, who opted out of Lyft’s arbitration agreement, sued individually, and on behalf of other “aggrieved” employees and California under the Private Attorneys General Act, as well as state labor and unfair competition laws.

The drivers are “clearly ...