Locum Or Employee

Many businesses will engage self-employed individuals to provide assistance during busy periods, or due to staff absences. For example, pharmacies and opticians may engage a self-employed individual, or 'locum' - a qualified pharmacist or optometrist to carry out work as and when required. Often, a business will use a self-employed individual on a semi regular basis, and may even come to rely on them. The question then arises – what is their employment status?

Businesses will engage individuals on a self-employed basis, rather than as employees, to afford more flexibility to the working arrangement. Employees receive holiday and sick pay and those with two or more years' service will have protection from unfair dismissal, whereas self-employed individuals receive a tax break and increased control over how and when they work in exchange for less protection when a working arrangement ends.