Lyft violates Washington DC sick day law during pandemic, lawsuit claims

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lyft Inc was sued on Friday by a former driver who accused the ride-sharing company of failing to provide required paid sick leave to drivers in Washington, D.C., a policy she said could fuel the spread of the coronavirus.

Cassandra Osvatics, of Bowie, Maryland, accused Lyft of subjecting current and former drivers to a “Hobbesian choice” between having to risk their livelihoods by staying home when sick, or “risk their lives (and the lives of their passengers)” by working through their illnesses.

Underlying the proposed class action is a belief that Lyft drivers qualify as employees, entitling them in the nation’s capital to about seven paid sick days annually based on 2,000 hours worked.

Lyft and larger rival Uber Technologies Inc have long contended their drivers are independent contractors, and therefore not owed benefits available to employees.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lyft-lawsuit/lyft-violates-washington-dc-sick-day-law-during-pandemic-lawsuit-claims-idUSKBN2352X2