Silicon Valley has long considered itself an egalitarian utopia — a place where rebelling against hierarchy is encouraged and good ideas are supposed to bubble to the top, regardless of who has them. The reality has always been more complicated.
For years, a massive shadow army of contractors and temp employees has fueled not only the growth of some of the sector’s biggest enterprises but also a two-tiered workforce. Staff employees get cushy pay and benefits, while contractors go without perks, job security and status.