Today (10/11/2017), the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) upheld the Employment Tribunal's (ET) decision that Uber drivers are 'workers', and therefore qualify for workers' rights.
The ET's decision of 28 October 2016 held that two Uber drivers, Mr Aslam and Mr Farrar, were 'workers' within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The EAT's decision today has confirmed this.
This gives Uber drivers the benefit of a limited number of employment rights, such as 5.6 weeks' paid annual leave each year, the national minimum wage, and a maximum 48 hour average working week.
This decision, although specific to Uber, means it is likely that other 'gig economy' companies may soon have to face claims that their 'contractors' have worker status.
