"Gig workers in Oklahoma—whether you're delivering food for DoorDash, driving passengers for Uber, shopping for Instacart, or completing tasks through any other app—are the backbone of our state’s gig economy. Yet, these workers are unfairly burdened with the cost of using their own vehicles for work. As gas prices rise and vehicle wear-and-tear increases, it has become harder for gig workers to make a living without proper mileage reimbursement. It's time for Oklahoma to take action and ensure that gig economy workers are reimbursed fairly for their business-related expenses, just like employees are in other industries."

Why This Matters:

"Oklahoma’s gig economy workers, including drivers and delivery personnel, use their personal vehicles to provide essential services. These workers are paid based on the delivery or ride, but they are not reimbursed for the business-related expenses of using their vehicles—such as fuel, maintenance, and depreciation—leaving them to shoulder the financial burden. This is an issue of fairness and equity: Gig workers are effectively subsidizing the profits of large tech companies without receiving the compensation they deserve."

The Costs:

The IRS standard mileage rate for 2023 is 65.5 cents per mile. Gig workers, who often drive hundreds of miles per week, are losing money because they are not reimbursed for these expenses.

Studies have shown that vehicle maintenance and fuel costs can easily exceed 30-40% of what drivers are paid, cutting into their already meager earnings.

Real-Life Impact:

Many gig workers report having to work longer hours just to break even or cover their vehicle-related costs.

Rising fuel prices make it harder for workers to sustain a reasonable income, even as they increase the hours they spend working.

Our Request:

"We are calling for the state of Oklahoma to require gig economy companies (such as DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, Postmates, and others) to fairly compensate their workers for business-related vehicle expenses. Specifically, we request that these companies reimburse their workers at the IRS standard mileage rate of 65.5 cents per mile for every mile driven on the job. This will ensure that gig workers are fairly compensated for their work and that their expenses are not eating into their income."

Why It’s Important:

Fair Compensation: Just like traditional employees are reimbursed for using their vehicles for work, gig workers should receive compensation for their time, fuel, and vehicle maintenance.

Sustainability: Allowing gig workers to fairly cover their vehicle expenses will help ensure that they can continue working without the stress of negative financial impacts.

Support for Local Economy: Fair treatment of gig workers will lead to a more sustainable workforce and, in turn, a healthier gig economy in Oklahoma.

Alignment with Other States: Other states, such as California, have already enacted laws ensuring that gig workers are reimbursed for their mileage and vehicle costs. Oklahoma should follow suit to ensure that its workers are treated fairly and equitably.

Call to Action:

"We demand that the state of Oklahoma pass legislation that requires gig economy companies to reimburse their workers for mileage and vehicle expenses, in line with the IRS standard mileage rate. Additionally, we call on DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and all other gig economy companies to take responsibility for reimbursing their workers fairly."