WHEN THE Supreme Court ruled last month that Uber drivers were workers employed by the firm rather than self-employed contractors, nobody knew how the company would react. In California, faced with a similar decision, it fought tooth and nail, and in effect got the judgment reversed through a ballot initiative. In Britain, many had expected it to ignore the court’s ruling on the ground that it applied only to a small group of workers, and to conditions that no longer prevailed.
The dispute reflects the messy nature of British employment rules. “Employees” gain access to the full gamut of employment-law protections; “workers” get some protections but can be dismissed at will; the self-employed are taxed more lightly but receive few legal rights. Clarifying definitions has relied on case law and usually boils down to arguments about the degree of control exercised by employers.
Mr Taylor, who calls the lack of progress “deeply disappointing”, reckons that the government understands that change is needed but does not want to be seen to be increasing burdens on business. The Treasury, with its eyes on the revenues that could be raised by taxing the self-employed at similar rates to employees, has supported reform, but a modest attempt to equalise the tax burden in 2017 prompted fierce resistance from Tory MPs.
Uber should not have been allowed into the U.K., what was wrong with our historic black cabs? Uber drivers are not trained or security checked, I believe. I have never, and will never take one
People need a little more good news now.
If you are wise, you will change your ways now before the Day of Judgement comes.
Welcome to the, um, end of the gig economy. Next, bicycle food delivery/transportation, housing rental (Airbnb).
thanks