Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteLyft has agreed to pay $272.5 million to resolve California claims that it misclassified drivers as independent contractors, but the settlement is not final: it still requires approval from San Francisco Superior Court. It concerns alleged violations during a period ending December 15, 2020, and does not change Lyft drivers’ classification for later work under Proposition 22.
Who may be covered by the settlement?
The agreement concerns people who drove for Lyft in California during the covered period and the alleged workplace-protection violations in the case. That does not mean every person who drove for Lyft in California will automatically receive money. Individual eligibility and payment amounts depend on the approved settlement terms and the settlement administrator’s process.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Lyft eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Lyft eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Lyft eGift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Uber eGift Card | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Uber Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The official sources differ by one day on the period’s start date: the California Labor Commissioner’s Office says April 6, 2016, while Lyft’s SEC filing says April 5, 2016. Both sources give December 15, 2020, as the end date. Until the court-approved documents resolve the discrepancy, the exact start date should be treated as unsettled.
The Labor Commissioner’s case page says the claims rely on California’s ABC and Borello worker-classification tests. The allegations were that Lyft treated drivers as independent contractors when they should have received employee protections. They are allegations resolved by a proposed settlement, not a court finding that Lyft violated the law.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable only via the Lyft mobile application.
- Redemption: Mobile
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
What did drivers allege they were denied?
The Labor Commissioner’s Office lists alleged denial of:
- Minimum wages and overtime pay.
- Rest-break premiums.
- Reimbursement for business expenses.
- Accurate wage statements and timely wage payments.
- Paid sick leave and other workplace protections.
The California Attorney General described the claims as wage theft under California Labor Code sections 2775 and following, as well as California’s Unfair Competition Law.
Rank #2
- Redeemable only via the Lyft mobile application.
- Redemption: Mobile
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
How is the settlement money intended to reach drivers?
The Labor Commissioner’s Office says 87% of the settlement is intended to go directly to drivers. It also says it will forgo its share of penalties so that $5.45 million can go to more than 1,600 drivers who filed wage claims through its administrative process. Those wage claimants are to receive a multiplier that doubles the mileage used in calculating their payment.
Eligible drivers are expected to receive restitution from a fund managed by a third-party settlement administrator. The individual payment formula has not been announced, so the public figures do not establish what any particular driver will receive.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Redeemable only via the Lyft mobile application.
- Redemption: Mobile
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
How can you claim money, and when might payments arrive?
The administrator had not yet been named, and no claim deadline had been set in the official information available when the settlement details were reported. The Labor Commissioner’s Office said the administrator is expected to contact eligible people directly and later set up a website, email address, and call center.
Until those details are announced, there is no confirmed claim form, deadline, or payment date to rely on. Follow announcements from the California Labor Commissioner’s Office and wait for official administrator instructions before submitting personal or payment information.
Rank #4
- 24/7 safe pickups
- Order from hundreds of local restaurants
- Low-cost and premium options
- Track delivery
- Redemption: Online
Does this change Lyft driver status now?
No. The Labor Commissioner’s Office says Proposition 22 took effect after the settlement’s covered period, and the agreement does not require Lyft to reclassify drivers for later work or provide relief for work after December 15, 2020. The settlement addresses claims about the earlier California period, not drivers’ present classification.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How did the case reach settlement?
The Labor Commissioner filed its Lyft lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court in August 2020. In September 2021, the case was coordinated in San Francisco Superior Court with enforcement actions brought by the Attorney General and city attorneys, along with private cases under California’s Private Attorneys General Act.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- 24/7 safe pickups
- Order from hundreds of local restaurants
- Low-cost and premium options
- Ratings ensure premium quality
- Track delivery
The settlement coalition includes the California Attorney General, the Labor Commissioner’s Office, the city attorneys of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and private plaintiffs represented by Outten & Golden, Olivier & Schreiber, and Lichten & Liss-Riordan. The proposed agreement still needs court approval before it becomes final.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
