Gig economy
The “gig economy” refers to a trend away from traditional employment models towards the use of freelance contractors to fulfil short-term projects or “gigs”. It is becoming increasingly prevalent with the advent of technologies that allow freelancers to bid for or otherwise engage clients on a piecemeal basis. Uber, Airbnb and Upwork are all examples of disruptive technologies that are putting clients in touch with service providers in real-time online marketplaces. These pages cover the “Uberisation” of the economy and the employment status of so-called “gig workers”.
From Uber to Deliveroo via Pimlico: The search for clarity on the gig economy
In recent cases it has become apparent that Uber, City Sprint, Deliveroo and Pimlico Plumbers had each created contracts that purported to ensure that their “partners” – the drivers, cyclists and plumbers – were classed as “self employed”
Employment regs: what happened to the ones that got away?
Keeping on top of employment law developments can feel like a full-time job for HR professionals, but that’s just the...
Union wins go ahead for Deliveroo collective bargaining case
A High Court judge today granted permission for Deliveroo couriers to challenge a previous ruling that they could not be...
Taxes and the gig economy: what should employers expect?
The Supreme Court this week deemed a former Pimlico plumber a worker for employment rights purposes, even though he was...
Pimlico Plumbers worker wins Supreme Court battle
In a key gig economy case decision, the Supreme Court has decided that a plumber who brought a case against...
Amazon delivery firms in employment status fight
The GMB has announced that it will take legal action against three Amazon delivery companies over their classification of drivers...
Uber to give drivers medical cover, sick pay and other benefits
Uber is to introduce numerous protections for its drivers through a new insurance scheme, including sick pay and maternity and...
Could universal basic income ever take off in the UK?
Universal basic income has been described as everything between a utopian ideal and “dangerous nonsense”, but with a trial due...
Deliveroo plans to make permanent staff shareholders
Deliveroo has announced that it will make all permanent staff shareholders, in a move worth around £10m.
Gig economy
MPs...
EAT upholds claim that Addison Lee courier was worker
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has upheld a claim by an Addison Lee cycle courier that he was a worker, rather...
Risk assessing relationships: Time to review employment contracts
With major changes to employment status likely on the horizon and a growing proportion of the workforce operating within the...
Labour enforcement body calls for crackdown on worker exploitation
The Director for Labour Market Enforcement has called for higher financial penalties for employers who exploit workers and flout employment...
Hermes “coerced” staff into misleading HMRC, manager claims
HM Revenue and Customs is reportedly investigating allegations that delivery company Hermes trained managers to mislead tax officials about how...
What are the legal rights of agency workers?
“Presenteeism” has more than tripled since 2010, says the CIPD, hitting a record high.
Hermes self-employment legal challenge begins
A legal case against courier firm Hermes is to begin today, with several self-employed drivers seeking to win basic employment...
