I do think things are as the grandparent noted. These companies are shifting risk around and attempting to reap reward.
I have a feeling that your 'there are laws' is more a general rallying cry rather than the particular nuances around these laws.
So, ie: for work like programming, usually one CAN BE mandated to work in a specific office, on specific hours. It happens all the time. The consequence is usually the exercise of the 'at will employee' and being terminated. Subordination is a valid reason for termination and it does happen.
As for misclassification of workers, the issue isnt there are holes in the law, the issue is likely that these companies are actually just violating the law.
Finally, the competition Uber vs Lyft thing hasn't actually worked to reduce the Uber cut in a percentage-basis. Competition isnt a magical bullet. It often ratchets up the abuse and pushes marginal contractors to the edge. This is the very nature of competition, working harder for less.
I have a feeling that your 'there are laws' is more a general rallying cry rather than the particular nuances around these laws.
So, ie: for work like programming, usually one CAN BE mandated to work in a specific office, on specific hours. It happens all the time. The consequence is usually the exercise of the 'at will employee' and being terminated. Subordination is a valid reason for termination and it does happen.
As for misclassification of workers, the issue isnt there are holes in the law, the issue is likely that these companies are actually just violating the law.
Finally, the competition Uber vs Lyft thing hasn't actually worked to reduce the Uber cut in a percentage-basis. Competition isnt a magical bullet. It often ratchets up the abuse and pushes marginal contractors to the edge. This is the very nature of competition, working harder for less.