Supreme Court Rules That Uber Drivers Are Workers

The "gig economy" business model has become increasingly prevalent as businesses can use apps to match customers with casual gig economy workers. The businesses can then take commission from the earnings of the worker without employing them and therefore, without the workers being afforded employment law rights such as minimum wage or holiday pay entitlement. This situation has led to a number of cases in recent years in relation to the employment status of these individuals. None of these have been more high profile than the Uber case in which the Employment Tribunal ("ET") found that these individuals were not self-employed contractors but rather were workers. This is a decision which has recently been upheld by the Supreme Court.