NTA2128. Should Everyone be an Employee? Policy for the Modern Workforce

Congress, federal and state agencies and the courts have struggled for over 50 years to determine when workers are sufficiently controlled to be classified as employees rather than contractors. Are gig platform workers and freelancers a new category of worker? What motivates efforts to make more workers employees? Are such efforts supported by safety net laws, economics, and the realities of the modern workforce? What recent federal and state law changes have been enacted and proposed; what are the policy considerations to positively address workforce and employment needs and changes of the modern world?

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the factors that make 20th century employment laws outdated.
• Explain proposals for change to tax, labor and other laws and their pros and cons; and policy considerations.