DOL withdraws Trump administration opinion letters on gig worker classification (SHRM)

The US Department of Labor withdrew an opinion letter that stated some gig-economy workers who find jobs through smartphone apps — such as drivers for ride-hailing services — are properly classified as independent contractors under federal wage and hour law,  the Society for Human Resource Management reported. The DOL also withdrew an opinion letter stating that employers don’t have to pay long-haul truck drivers for time they spend in a truck’s sleeping berth, as long as the drivers are relieved of all duties.