Worker Classification Rule Gets White House OK for Release

The U.S. Labor Department got the go-ahead from the White House regulatory office to release its high-stakes proposal for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor under federal wage law.

The proposed rule (RIN: 1235-AA34) will set a framework for employers to designate workers as independent contractors or employees who are eligible for minimum wage and overtime protections. The issue of worker classification has taken on greater significance during the rise of the gig economy, where independent contractors are integral to the business models of leading companies such as Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc., and Instacart.

The ...