California legislators have set the gig economy ablaze with California Assembly Bill 5. Going into effect on January 1, 2020, AB5 will reshape the concept of freelancing in the state of California. Freelance writer, Robert Kurzban discusses what this means for professionals in his industry.
After a resounding push for employee classification from workers of Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash, California legislators have responded. The response is California Assembly Bill 5. At the surface, AB5 aims to protect ‘exploited’ workers in the gig economy. The law pushes rideshare and food delivery app-based corporations to classify their workers as employees rather than independent contractors. This move entails quite a bit for workers in the gig economy. Ideally, it entitles these now employees to benefits such as a minimum wage, health insurance, paid time off and vacation time.
Freelance writers, who are also considered independent contractors, are receiving the short end of the stick as a result. For decades, the freelance route has provided writers with seemingly endless opportunities. Free from the restrictions of a ‘typical’ writing position in the publishing world, ‘freelance’ has been a synonym for ‘freedom’ for creative types for quite some time.
Now thanks to gig economy workers and the politicians who claimed to represent them -- the world of freelance just might come to an end. AB5 prohibits writers from being classified as freelance writers or independent contractors if they publish more than 35 articles per year for a specific publication. With freelance positions representing the bread and butter for many writers -- this is a devastating blow.
Although AB5 has specifically passed in the state of California, freelancers across the nation are being affected. With many publications, websites and other news sources headquartered in California, thousands of freelancers are being cast aside. Many even believe that this move may inspire a disastrous domino effect across the country.
Will freelance writing come to an end? Only time will tell.
Now thanks to gig economy workers and the politicians who claimed to represent them -- the world of freelance just might come to an end. AB5 prohibits writers from being classified as freelance writers or independent contractors if they publish more than 35 articles per year for a specific publication. With freelance positions representing the bread and butter for many writers -- this is a devastating blow.
Although AB5 has specifically passed in the state of California, freelancers across the nation are being affected. With many publications, websites and other news sources headquartered in California, thousands of freelancers are being cast aside. Many even believe that this move may inspire a disastrous domino effect across the country.
Will freelance writing come to an end? Only time will tell.
Check back next week for another post in Robert Kurzban's blog series on freelance writing!
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