After stealing tips from independent contractors and being caught (DoorDash), these companies have found other ways to steal from drivers! 

Being delivered food from 3rd party companies like DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats, makes life a bit more convenient, but would it bother you to know that those delivering your food are being compensated unfairly? Well, I tested it out.

It is time we call on our legislators to enact protections for Independent Contractors.  The have been a valuable resource throughout this pandemic.  Let's stand together to support Independent Contractors from the abuse they receive!

MY TESTING:

After a long stint from delivering for platforms such as GrubHub, DoorDash, and UberEats, I decided to jump in and take some orders. The reason for me doing that was to have a present perspective on protections independent contractors need.

I decided to take a few orders from GrubHub. Only 3 orders in and I experienced an issue with an order--the restaurant refused to make the order. I called support, and they, ultimately, cancelled the order. There should have been a form of compensation for the order. Prior to cancelling the order, the representative stated that she wanted to make sure I got paid, but attempted to rush off the phone before it showed on my end. When it showed, there was $0.00 in payment.

After being provided information to attempt to get me off the phone (delayed resolution that would lead to no payment), after being talked over, after being accused of not taking any of her resolution offers, after repeated attempts by the representative to get off of the phone, and after 46 minutes on the call, asking for a supervisor, and being lied to about a supervisor or team lead, the representative hung up. No pay for contracted work done.

Many independent contractors, who are actually functioning as small business owners (no benefits, etc.), experience this same treatment. Because many of the independent contractors are doing it as fill-in employment, or because they are doing this as their only form of employment, to make ends meet, they do not have access to legal representation that could take on these giants. They are set, firmly positioned, between a rock and a hard place, and these companies know this, taking advantage of them along the way. These independent contractors don't even have legislation support to give them needed rights and protections. This must change.

Independent Contractors need:

• Pay protections (see the example above)
• Legislative backing to level the playing field
• Full Disclosure of Pay (DoorDash hides tips)
• Access to cost-sharing legal representation to level the playing field
• Pay, and fair pay, for doing their part regardless of the merchant or business giants' failures
• Oversight, and penalties, to hold these giants accountable
• And, more...

Anything less demonstrates the relationship is not an independent contractor relationship. It is more like an employer-employee relationship where the employer is escaping paying for things, such as benefits, if it were defined as such.

The independent contractor needs protections that must come through the legislative process. Will you stand up and support independent contractors?

The easy answer is to tell an independent contractor to contract elsewhere, but many do not have that option because it allows them to manage their daily life better. Many are going to school and can create their own schedules. Many are supplementing income to make ends meet. Many are attempting to have a life with their family so all needs are met. ...and, being able to have a flexible schedule helps them, but companies are taking advantage of that. And, if they all decided not to deliver, who would bring your food so you could enjoy convenience? You supporting independent contractors supports you, too.

(There are issues with these companies pillaging the merchants and customers as well. Stand with independent contractors so the legislators can look at it all.)

We implore our legislators to assist to present legislation of the State and Federal levels to protect laborers with protections.

California has taken steps.  New York has taken steps.  Chicago has taken steps.  Will Michigan?  Will the US?  Do we value all business or just some?