NJBIA will present its case against a proposed rule by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOLWD) at a public hearing scheduled for Monday. The rule aims to classify more gig workers, such as drivers for rideshare and meal-delivery apps and freelance writers, as regular company employees.
The hearing is set to occur at the New Jersey Division of Taxation in Trenton from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday.
Elissa Frank, NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs, expressed concerns about the proposal’s impact on independent contractors. “The main takeaway is that under the proposal it will be extremely difficult to be considered an independent contractor in New Jersey,” Frank stated. She argued that the proposal would reduce freelancers’ autonomy while increasing labor costs for businesses.
Frank further contended, “But we contend that this rule, as currently written, will do much more harm than good. It will undoubtedly reduce autonomy for freelance workers, and it will greatly add to business labor costs. It will also likely add to increased prices in an already unaffordable state and less service for customers, particularly for the many people who use services like Uber, Lyft, Grubhub or DoorDash.”
According to Frank, NJDOLWD is pursuing regulatory changes because similar legislation introduced in 2019 stalled in the Statehouse without progressing further. “At its core, the proposed rule is out of step with today’s work climate for people who actually want gig work,” she said.
Frank encouraged those who appreciate their current working conditions to voice their opposition. “We welcome the opportunity to send our comments and encourage gig workers who enjoy their work freedom to provide comments opposing the NJDOL’s proposal,” she concluded.
