The U.K. Supreme Court ruled on February 19, 2021 that Uber drivers in Britain should be classed as “workers” and not self-employed.
- The top court ruling threatens the company’s business model and holds broader implications for the gig economy.
- The decision paves the way for Uber drivers to get employee benefits such as paid holidays and the minimum wage.
- Former Uber drivers James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam took Uber to an employment tribunal in 2016, arguing they worked for Uber. Uber said its drivers were self employed and it therefore was not responsible for paying any minimum wage nor holiday pay. However, the tribunal gave the decision in the favour of Uber drivers which was challenged by the company in UK Supreme Court.
- Uber drivers are currently treated as self-employed, meaning that by law they are only afforded minimal protections. But the UK top court’s decision will change the situation.
