header-logo header-logo

Blow for agile workers in gig economy

27 March 2019
Issue: 7834 / Categories: Legal News , Employment
printer mail-detail

A former Pimlico Plumbers engineer who was held by the Supreme Court to be a worker rather than self-employed has nevertheless lost his tribunal claim for £74,000 in holiday pay.

Croydon employment tribunal held last week that Gary Smith had not filed his claim for backdated holiday pay in time; he should have claimed within three months of each holiday period.

His lawyer said he did not know he was entitled to paid leave until after he stopped working for the company.

Neil Tonks, legislation expert at payroll software company MHR, said the ruling ‘represents a real blow to individuals in the gig economy looking to make similar claims, who have been wrongly classed as selfemployed for some time and are totally unaware of what rights they do and don’t have.’

‘The case again highlights how new agile models of working have left many people in the dark about their employment status and the need for greater clarity,’ Tonks added.

Issue: 7834 / Categories: Legal News , Employment
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll