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”.
Six employment law cases that will shape 2020
We look at six important employment law cases that will get the headlines in 2020, covering significant issues such as...
Recruiters report modest increase in appointments
KPMG and REC's monthly survey points to slight gains in certain areas of the economy over the past month.
Gig economy ad banned for “harmful gender stereotypes”
Gig economy company PeoplePerHour has had an advert banned by the Advertising Standards Authority because it promoted “harmful gender stereotypes”....
LibDems aspire to modernise gig economy and increase worker incomes
The Liberal Democrats say they would alter employment rights to make them a better fit with the gig economy.
Graduates take on second jobs to meet living costs
Recent university graduates are having to take on second jobs in order to pay their rent and cope with rising...
Bolt drivers urge better pay and recognition of workers’ rights
Drivers for the minicab app Bolt have staged a protest against what they describe as “unfair” dismissals and its alleged...
Gig workers should be able to form unions, says EU commissioner
The European Union’s competition commissioner has said that gig workers should be able to “team up” to form unions.
Young people increasingly struggle to move out of insecure work
It is becoming harder for younger workers in insecure or temporary jobs to move into good quality permanent work.
IR35: Time for the private sector to get its house in order?
Recent decisions by major employers such as Barclays and Lloyds to bring all contractors onto payroll have ruffled feathers in...
Queen’s Speech: Points-based immigration and Good Work Plan feature
A points-based immigration system will start in 2021.
Gig economy: Uber launches on-demand jobs app ‘Works’
Uber Technologies has launched a new app to put casual workers in touch with employers trying to fill vacant shifts....
Gig economy: Royal Mail’s eCourier drivers to strike over employment status
Drivers and riders working for eCourier, a same-day delivery service owned by Royal Mail Group, have voted for strike action,...
Tribunal seeks ‘worker’ status clarification from EU
An employment tribunal is seeking clarification from the European Court of Justice on the proper interpretation of the “worker” classification...
Landmark gig economy bill close to becoming law in California
The state of California is close to passing a landmark bill that will require employers to treat gig economy workers...
Work no more insecure than 20 years ago
Work in the UK is no more insecure than it was in 1998, despite claims that there has been an...
