The Number

A recent survey commissioned by the California Chamber of Commerce found that only 7 percent of independent contractors in the state would prefer to become employees, while 87 percent are satisfied with their work situation. The chamber has organized the I’m Independent Coalition, which seeks legislative solutions to problems stemming from the Dynamex Operations West vs. Superior Court of Los Angeles decision. The April ruling could reclassify large numbers of independent contractors as employees under a three-part test. When asked about possible outcomes of the Dynamex decision, 57 percent of the independent contractors surveyed said they were concerned they will lose flexibility in their hours, and 53 percent said they were concerned they will take home less money as an employee. The chamber survey mirrors national research. A 2017 study by the U.S. Labor Department found 79.1 percent of independent contractors preferred alternative work arrangements, while only 8.8 percent expressed a preference for a traditional work arrangement. The main benefits of independence are time flexibility and the opportunity to supplement the primary source of income, the study found. “Independent contractors are a significant part of a variety of industries, including entertainment and tech,” Jennifer Barrera, the chamber’s senior vice president of policy, said in an email to the Business Journal. “Individuals choose to work as independent contractors for flexibility, additional income or an opportunity for more income based on their expertise. The Dynamex decision potentially disrupts the opportunity for nearly 2 million Californians to continue to pursue work as independent contractors, which is why we are asking the Legislature to provide clarity on this issue.”