SuperCitizen

Federal and state laws use different tests to classify workers as employees vs. independent contractors. The classification determines whether the worker gets minimum-wage, overtime, unemployment, workers' comp, employer payroll-tax contributions, and the right to organize.

Key recent battles:

California AB5 / Prop 22: AB5 codified a strict "ABC" test, classifying most gig workers as employees; Prop 22 (2020 ballot, narrowly upheld in court) carved out app-based drivers as independent contractors with limited benefits.
PRO Act / federal action: Would adopt the ABC test federally.
Department of Labor rule: Has shifted between administrations.
"Third category" proposals: A new classification with portable benefits, partial protections, and preserved flexibility.

Spectrum of framings

How adherents on each side of the conventional left / center / right spectrum frame this issue — written so each camp would recognize the framing as charitable.

left

Progressives strongly favor reclassifying most gig workers as employees with full protections.

center

Some moderates favor a "third category" with portable benefits and partial protections.

right

Most conservatives favor preserving independent-contractor flexibility and oppose federal reclassification.

Perspectives

Each perspective is presented in terms its advocates would recognize, with the concerns they treat as paramount. None is endorsed.

Employee-classification advocates

Platform workers face employer-style control without employer-style protections. Reclassifying as employees ensures minimum wage, overtime, workers' comp, and the right to organize.

Worker protections
Minimum-wage and overtime
Right to organize

Independent-contractor defenders

Workers value the flexibility of platform work. Reclassification destroys flexible income for millions, especially supplemental earners. Prop 22-style hybrid models preserve flexibility with some benefits.

Schedule flexibility
Supplemental earners
Platform-business viability

Portable-benefits / third-category advocates

Create a new classification with portable benefits (health, retirement, paid leave) that follow the worker across platforms — combining flexibility with security.

Portable benefits across platforms
Preserving flexibility
Funding mechanisms