Sponsored
upper waypoint

In Silicon Valley, the Color of Your Badge Is A Status Symbol

13:17
Save ArticleSave Article
Failed to save article

Please try again

In response to a letter demanding equal treatment for contractors signed by Google employees, the company said it will require staffing firms to provide health insurance, 12 hours of paid parental leave and at least $15 an hour. Staffing agencies must comply by 2022. Pictured: Google headquarters on Jan. 30, 2014, in Mountain View. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Uber drivers are planning to strike Wednesday by turning off their apps ahead of the company’s public offering, which is expected to be the largest of the new tech IPOs this year. Drivers say they want higher pay and benefits. Uber has avoided having to provide benefits because their drivers are considered independent contractors. In fact, a lot of tech workers in Silicon Valley are contractors — including people you might expect to have permanent jobs. That includes people with degrees, like programmers and data analysts. Many are people of color, and they hang in long limbo as they reach for a permanent position.

Guest: Sam Harnett, KQED Silicon Valley reporter

Sponsored

lower waypoint
next waypoint