United States of America: Attorney General of Washington DC filed public lawsuit against Gopuff for alleged misclassification of delivery workers as independent contractors

On 18 March 2025, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against GoBrands, Inc. and GB Logistics, LLC, the operating entities of the delivery platform Gopuff. The complaint alleges that the companies misclassified their delivery workers as independent contractors rather than employees. The OAG contends that the workers qualify as employees because Gopuff exercises extensive control over their work, the workers lack the opportunity for profit or loss, make minimal capital investments, are not required to possess specialised skills, are hired on a permanent basis, and perform work essential to Gopuff’s business operations. According to the complaint, this classification enabled the companies to avoid compliance with District labour laws, including those governing minimum wage, overtime pay, and paid sick leave. It further alleges that the companies failed to provide workers’ compensation coverage and did not contribute to unemployment insurance or paid family leave programmes. The misclassification is also said to have shifted operating costs, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance, onto workers. The District seeks injunctive relief, restitution of unpaid wages and benefits, civil penalties, recovery of unpaid contributions, and a jury trial.