Are Professional Athletes Employees?

Background to worker status

A number of cases have looked at worker status in recent years, focused mostly around the 'gig economy' with claims against companies including Uber and Deliveroo.

The gig economy typically involves individuals working in temporary positions in the service industry, such as food delivery or private couriering. The sharp increase in the number of people working in this sector has led to a huge shift in the cultural and business environment.

The Good Work: Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, published in July 2017, looked at the growing gig economy and considered the implications on worker rights and responsibilities, as well as on employer freedoms and obligations. This review led to the Good Work Plan, published by the UK Government in December 2018, which made a number of proposals designed to improve working conditions for those working in the gig economy and subject to uncertain employment rights.