Deliveroo riders are self-employed
28 June 2021
The UK Court of Appeal last week ruled that Deliveroo riders were self-employed, and not classed as workers or employees.
This is in stark comparison to the recent ruling which determined that Uber drivers should be classed as workers, and not self-employed individuals. It indicates that the Uber case did not set a precedent for the future of the gig economy.
The outcome was determined by the fact that Deliveroo drivers are not entitled to collective bargaining rights. Back in 2017, The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) was denied collective bargaining rights for a group of Deliveroo riders, as they were not classed as being workers. The court stated that, although Deliveroo riders have the right to organise collectively, they do not have permission to do so through a trade union.
A spokesperson for Deliveroo said:
“UK courts have now tested and upheld the self-employed status of Deliveroo riders four times. Deliveroo’s model offers the genuine flexibility that is only compatible with self-employment, providing riders with the work they tell us they value.”
CIPP comment
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