Watch out sharing economy, the feds are watching this whole contractor thing | Ars Technica

A new policy guidance document was released earlier this week by the Department of Labor over the status of contract workers versus employees.

The 14-page "guidance" doesn't represent new law, but it does suggest that various regulatory agencies, including at the federal level, are looking much more closely at how contract workers are treated.

A number of high-profile tech companies, including Uber, Lyft, Homejoy, and Instacart, have come under scrutiny in recent months as an increasing number of workers have challenged the regime under which they work. Just last month the California Labor Commission issued a ruling in favor (PDF) of a former Uber employee, ordering the company to reimburse her for costs incurred while driving for Uber.