Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from sudden 'deactivation'

Re:Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from... by sneak on Thursday August 10, 2023 @04:22PM (#37081257)

The scenario you describe is only possible if there is only one employer.

The moment you have multiple employers to choose from (ie an actual market for labor) then the insecurity is removed. Indeed, for the most part, if you can deliver value, you can find someone to pay you for it and your bills will get paid.

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Re:Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from... by matsemann on Thursday August 10, 2023 @05:22PM (#37081961)

Can you find a new job the very next day? Can everyone? Why not at least have a few weeks, what's the harm in that?

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Re:Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from... by sneak on Friday August 11, 2023 @04:50AM (#37086514)

"the very next day" is arbitrary - you were talking about bills, those are usually due monthly.

It's not your employer's job to mitigate the risks an employee took on by not saving money. Everyone should have 90 days of expenses saved up.

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Re:Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from... by matsemann on Friday August 11, 2023 @01:07PM (#37091040)

So all those living paycheck to paycheck should just be screwed?

I think your views come from a point of privilege.

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Re:Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from... by sneak on Friday August 11, 2023 @01:45PM (#37091566)

It's not a matter of my view. The people you describe are only screwed if:

- they have no savings or access to credit

AND

- they get fired on short notice

AND

- they can't get another job

I'm not sure that making the employer fire them with a longer notice period, given that they can't get another job, means they won't be screwed. Therefore, I don't think there is any utility in so restricting the employer.

Not having savings is bad and dangerous. That's not caused by labor law.

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Re:Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from... by matsemann on Friday August 11, 2023 @04:30PM (#37093633)

What kind of jobs can you find on a single day's notice? Abusive gig work only. Where I live the notice period is three months. I don't think you can imagine how nice it is to not have to worry about being fired on the spot, and when it happens you know you will have time to sort it out.

Jobs should serve the people.

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