Uber drivers’ and employment rights

The leading topic of conversation on the show were the recent challenges faced by private hire company Uber following the revocation of its licence to operate in London by transport regulator Transport For London as well as high profile cases relating to workers’ rights and alleged sex discrimination of female drivers in the employment tribunal. Whilst Uber can continue to operate in London pending an appeal of TFL’s decision, TFL’s initial finding that Uber was not “fit and proper” to hold a licence has further clouded the company’s reputation at a time where its core operational model is under threat by the claims issued by drivers in the employment tribunal.

The show was recorded on the first day of the hearing at the Employment Appeal Tribunal in relation to the claims brought by two drivers who claim that they are “workers” and are therefore entitled to rights such as rest breaks and holiday pay. The original hearing at the Employment

Tribunal concluded that the two individuals were “workers” rather than genuinely self-employed as Uber is seeking to argue. The EAT’s decision is awaited.

The case is one of several that have attracted recent media interest around the issue of individuals’ status and serves as a reminder to businesses to keep working arrangements under review to ensure that their workforce is correctly classified in order to avoid the risk of making headlines themselves.

Several other business-related stories were discussed on the show which can be viewed http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kmtv/video/chris-and-co-wednesday-27th-september-2017-8481/

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