App-Based Industry Trade Association Flex Submits Comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Worker

Flex’s comments recommend that the Department of Labor support–and not hinder access to–the flexible, scalable earnings opportunities enabled by independent work, particularly during a period of inflation and economic uncertainty

Washington, DC - Flex, the voice of the app-based economy, announced today the association had submitted comments on the Department of Labor’s worker classification proposal. Flex’s comments reflect the vast majority of app-based workers who prefer to remain independent contractors, preserving the flexibility and freedom to choose when, where, and how often they work. In the first nationwide poll of app-based workers conducted earlier this year, Flex found that 77% of app-based workers prefer to remain independent contractors.

Read Flex’s full comments here, and a blog post highlighting key elements of Flex’s comments can be found here.

Statement from Flex CEO Kristin Sharp:

“The Department of Labor’s proposal is unnecessary. It does not reflect the modern economic choices and opportunities enabled by app-based platforms. It’s contrary to what most independent workers want. And it’s potentially harmful to all who embrace app-based services to earn extra income, meet essential community needs, and better fit their lives.

“The Department should withdraw its proposal and retain the current framework, which better reflects the 21st-century economic landscape. Particularly in a time of economic uncertainty and significant inflationary pressures, misguided regulatory interventions could increase costs and negatively impact those who turn to app-based platforms to earn extra income. Instead of making the regulatory landscape more complicated and confusing; policymakers should partner with Flex to pursue common-sense policies that support the independent work that millions continue to choose even as ten million traditional jobs remain open.”

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About Flex

Flex is the voice of the app-based economy, representing America's leading app-based rideshare and delivery platforms and the people who count on them. Our member companies — DoorDash, Gopuff, Grubhub, HopSkipDrive, Instacart, Lyft, Shipt, and Uber— help provide access to crucial goods and services to customers safely and efficiently, offer flexible earning opportunities to workers, and support economic growth in communities across the country. Together, we advocate for policies that enable our industry to continue delivering for the people who count on our platforms.