There has been much coverage in the press about the so called ‘gig economy’. This is the term which has been coined to describe the much more fluid working relationships that many workers have with their employer. On the positive side, the gig economy is held out as allowing workers to hold multiple roles and to be able to work flexibly. However as a number of high profile employers have found recently, the downsides of such arrangements are that employees are losing out on valuable rights that other workers enjoy.

The cab hire firm Uber has just lost an appeal. In 2016, an Employment Tribunal held that two drivers were entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the minimum wage. Uber appealed this decision arguing that its drivers were self-employed.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that the drivers should be treated as workers rather than self-employed.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, Uber has announced that it intends to appeal. Clearly this is not the end of the road for this story.

If you are a worker on a self-employed contract or an employer concerned about the status of those who provide services to you, contact us.