The Final Rule published Thursday, Jan. 7, in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Labor with regard to "Employee or Independent Contractor Classification" uses an "economic reality" test to determine a worker's status. It is currrently scheduled to become effective March 8, 2021. The Final Rule considers whether a worker is in business for himself or herself (independent contractor) or is instead economically dependent on an employer for work (employee). more

America's Newspapers is a member of the Coalition for Workforce Innovation, as part of our advocacy efforts on behalf of newspapers, their workforce and independent contractors.

Read this editorial from the Coalition about the need for a mix of commonsense relief measures and policies that promote and maximize opportunities and flexibility for workers. Independent work is and will continue to be crucial in helping our economic recovery, but only if lawmakers allow it to be an onramp to economic opportunity and recovery. more