Commentary: New Biden Labor Dept. Rule Likely to Hurt Millions of Small Businesses, Independent Contractors

Remote Worker

Some 99% of American companies are small businesses, and 100% of businesses started out small, but a recently finalized rule from the Biden administration’s Labor Department will make it harder for small businesses to start, grow and succeed.

As of last May 1, a White House news release pointed out, “Young firms, which often start small with few employees, are a driving force in job creation.” That’s been particularly true since the COVID-19 pandemic, as small businesses with fewer than 50 employees have accounted for a growing share of new jobs.

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Biden’s Labor Department Is Planning to Shake Up a Key Rule for Gig Workers

The Department of Labor on Tuesday announced a proposed change to rules governing independent contractors that could re-classify millions of gig workers as full employees, dramatically increasing their chances to obtain certain benefits.

The Labor Department repeatedly characterized the move as a way to reduce “misclassification” of workers who deserved to be counted as employees in a document explaining the rule change. If the new rule is approved, millions of workers that do not currently qualify for minimum wage, overtime, Social Security contributions and other benefits, could see their standing reconsidered, according to The New York Times.

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