Uber Drivers Are Workers!

Posted by Vandana Dass on
November 13th, 2017 in Employment tribunal

An Employment Tribunal has ruled that the drivers who provide service to Uber are “workers” within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

What does this mean?

This means that as workers they would be entitled to certain employment rights such as:

• Being paid the national minimum wage
• A 48 hours average working week
• Rest breaks
• 5.6 weeks’ paid annual leave per year.

They would not be entitled to rights that employees would be entitled to, such as:

• The right to claim unfair dismissal
• The right to statutory redundancy payment
• The protection of TUPE.

What next?

I consider that it is likely that Uber would appeal the decision as clearly this outcome would mean that they would have to pay a huge amount to over 35,000 drivers. The decision is also likely to encourage more drivers to bring claims against Uber.

Any organisation operating in a similar way to Uber should be aware that drivers could bring claims against them on the basis of this decision.

For more information about workers and employee rights contact our employment lawyers on 0208 868 2868 or email contact@davenportsolicitors.com.