Delivery drivers in Illinois are suing Amazon as a “joint employer” for failure to pay overtime. The drivers are independent contractors, but they claim that because Amazon was so invested in the their day-to-day activities the e-commerce giant is actually their joint employer. If Amazon is found to be a joint employer, it would be liable for any workplace violations or lawsuits.The suit follows a string of similar cases in which employees are holding large corporations accountable and fighting to be recognized as employees instead of independent contractors.
See "Amazon Drivers Deliver ‘Joint Employer’ Claims Against E-commerce Giant", Josh Eidelson, Insurance Journal, November 4, 2016