Gig economy roles and the legal status of app-based workers

The gig economy continues to evolve, offering workers flexibility through roles such as freelance writing, web design, food delivery, and ridesharing. While many use these positions as side income, others rely on them as their primary source of earnings.

In the United Kingdom, the legal distinction between employees, workers, and self-employed contractors remains a critical issue for app-based drivers. Under UK law, ‘workers’ occupy a middle ground, granting them rights such as the National Minimum Wage, paid annual leave, and rest breaks, though they typically lack protections like redundancy pay or unfair-dismissal rights.

A landmark 2021 Supreme Court decision in Uber BV v Aslam established that certain app-based drivers qualify as workers rather than independent contractors. The Court determined that Uber’s level of control—including setting fares, imposing contractual terms, and using passenger ratings for performance management—limited the drivers' ability to operate as independent businesses.