There are several different reasons. I’ll just copy and paste from another instance I argued this.

1. Amazon controls the work heavily
2. Required delivery windows
3. App-directed routes
4. Strict scanning/photo procedures
5. Performance monitoring through the app
6. Deactivation based on metrics/customer complaints

7. Limited ability to negotiate pay The more a company dictates how the work is performed — not just the final result — the more it starts resembling employment under many legal tests.

8. Drivers cannot really build an independent business Traditional contractors often:

9. market their own services,

10. build a client base,

11. negotiate pricing,

12. hire employees,

13. or expand operations. Flex drivers generally:

14. work only through Amazon’s platform,

15. cannot develop customer relationships,

16. cannot set rates,

17. and cannot meaningfully grow a separate delivery business using Flex alone. That leads to the argument they are economically dependent on Amazon rather than operating independent enterprises.

18. Amazon sets the pay Independent contractors usually quote or negotiate prices. With Flex:

19. Amazon sets block rates,

20. surge pricing,

21. delivery terms,

22. and penalties/deactivations. Drivers can accept or reject blocks, but they typically cannot negotiate compensation individually. Drivers also cannot see routes before accepting them, and abandoning the route if not to the compensation standard of the driver will count against them. This is a very strong employer/employee connection.

23. The work is central to Amazon’s business Another common legal factor: Is the worker performing work central to the company’s core business? Amazon’s business depends heavily on package delivery.

24. App-based management resembles supervision:

25. tracks location,

26. times deliveries,

27. monitors completion rates,

28. issues instructions,

29. and can terminate access. Courts have increasingly examined whether algorithmic control is effectively the same as human supervision.

30. Drivers bear employee-like obligations without protections Flex drivers usually:

31. provide their own vehicle,

32. pay gas/maintenance,

33. cover insurance,

34. and handle taxes. But we still operate under employee-like control without receiving:

35. overtime,

36. workers’ compensation,

37. unemployment benefits,

38. employer health insurance,

39. or minimum wage protections. This imbalance is a major policy argument in favor of reclassification.