These startups deliver groceries fast—without gig workers

WIRED featured Erin Hatton in a story about startups that are delivering groceries fast without using gig workers, instead hiring employees with benefits. “It’s a sad commentary that we’re surprised by this, because all of these workers, under law, should be classified as employees,” Hatton said. She says the startups appear to see delivering groceries quickly as a specialized skill. Couriers are “navigating heavy traffic in urban spaces, and to do so quickly is difficult and can be dangerous,” Hatton says. “I hope that there is a new recognition that we need to treat workers well, especially when we expect them to perform at high levels.”