Ride-Hailing App’s Operating Model Is Unlawful
The High Court has declared Uber’s business model in which the app platform acts only as an agent to a ‘contract’ between driver and passenger, unlawful. This means that Uber, not individual drivers, will enter into contracts directly with passengers and will be held liable. This is the latest in a string court of cases […]
HMRC Should Better Advise & Support Gig Workers
In response to a government call for evidence, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) have pointed out a number of flaws in how individuals working in the gig and sharing economies are taxed. Currently, they are expected to fit within the Self Assessment tax system, i.e. be responsible for declaring their taxable income annually […]
Glovo Announce “Courier Pledge” To Protect Workers
Multinational delivery company Glovo (headquartered in Spain) has announced a Couriers Pledge aimed at improving conditions for their self-employed riders. In their pledge, Glovo has committed to ensuring fair conditions for every courier by 2023. The company recognises that the gig economy represents a significant source of income for couriers and wants to provide equality […]
Spiralling Gig Economy Engages 4.4m Workers Each Week
The number of people working for gig economy platforms has near-tripled in England and Wales over the past five years, according to new research published by the TUC today. This amounts to 4.4 million people working for gig economy platforms at least once a week. In addition, almost a quarter (22.6%) of workers have done […]
Public Believe UK’s Gig Economy Is Unfair To Workers
The majority of the UK’s population believe that the gig economy is unfair to gig workers according to research published by the University of Oxford’s Fairwork project. Just 22% think that gig economy platforms pay workers a fair wage. The survey, conducted by Survation on behalf of the Fairwork research project, University of Oxford, polled 2,020 adults between the […]
Portugal’s Gig Economy Will Get Worker Rights
New legislation in Portugal is set to grant gig economy workers certain minimum rights similar to those received by employees, rather than the current gig worker status as self-employed individuals. A draft bill has been approved by the government but still needs to get the final green light from the Portuguese parliament, which is likely […]
Purplebricks Faces Legal Action For Holiday And Pension Payments
More than 100 workers are preparing legal action against online estate agency Purplebricks as they believe they are entitled to holiday pay and pension contributions. This is the latest in a string of high-profile employment status cases (such as Uber, Pimlico Plumbers, Addison Lee, and Amazon) where self-employed people appear to be workers in employment […]
Platform Workers Are Happier Than Employees
Platform workers are happier and more satisfied with their work than people in permanent employment according to a report by Free Trade Europa. This is despite the fact that they are more likely to work more than 45 or even 60 hours a week, and earn slightly lower salaries on average. The platform economy across Europe […]
015 Supreme Court Uber Decision – Impact on the Gig Economy
You can’t have missed the fact that the Supreme Court recently concluded that Uber drivers are not self-employed, despite being engaged on that basis, but are actually workers. This is a very significant judgement which looks set to have wide-ranging implications for the gig economy, so today we’re talking to Lewina Farrell, a solicitor with […]