&gt; People who work for ride-sharing companies are employees because their only way to make money is by making money for the company.<p>That is not how the law defines employee. It has to do with the employer providing tools, and setting schedule.<p>&gt; Uber-X drivers can&#x27;t legally build up a private clientele unless they also have commercial insurance and have paid the state&#x27;s fee for vehicles-for-hire.<p>And? What does that have to do with Uber? Just because they can&#x27;t use their car to make money without Uber doesn&#x27;t mean they are an employee of Uber - it just means Uber provides them some business leads.