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Uber Loses Right To Classify UK Drivers as Self-Employed (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the 'gray-area' dept.

Uber drivers are not self-employed and should be paid the "national living wage," a UK employment court has ruled in a landmark case which could affect tens of thousands of workers in the gig economy. From a report on the Guardian: The ride-hailing app could now be open to claims from all of its 40,000 drivers in the UK, who are currently not entitled to holiday pay, pensions or other workers' rights. Uber immediately said it would appeal against the ruling. Employment experts said other firms with large self-employed workforces could now face scrutiny of their working practices and the UK's biggest union, Unite, announced it was setting up a new unit to pursue cases of bogus self-employment. The Uber ruling could force a rethink of the gig economy business model, where companies use apps and the internet to match customers with workers. The firms do not employ the workers, but take commission from their earnings, and many have become huge global enterprises.

4 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. It makes sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They have a lot of control over the drivers. Don't they still have a rule where the Uber app won't work if you have the Lyft app running? You aren't an "independent contractor" when your boss doesn't allow you to accept work from competitors. You are an employee.

  2. You bet your ass they are by rsilvergun · · Score: 5, Insightful

    they're campaigning for real jobs, with real job protections. People died for minimum wage and the 40 hour work week, ya know? Don't underestimate the working class. They're not as dumb as folks like think. Down on their luck, yeah. But not dumb.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
  3. they have a lot more control then that. by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 5, Informative

    they have a lot more control then that.
    Like
    can't set your own price
    limits on what tools (car) you can use.
    The rating system.
    can't really be Promoting Competitor’s Services (Including Your Own)
    limits on acceptance rates / can really see where a ride is going be for committing to it.
    and more

  4. Re: UK is the land of law by Richard_at_work · · Score: 5, Informative

    For anyone who is interested, take a look at the IR35 regulations, which HMRC are cracking down on massively...

    http://www.contractorcalculato...

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ir...

    These are just one of the rules designed to prevent the contractor-not-employee tax avoidance schemes in the UK.