What the gig economy is
The gig economy refers to labour markets characterised by short-term contracts and freelance work, typically mediated by digital platforms. This includes ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt), food delivery (Deliveroo, Just Eat), task platforms (TaskRabbit), freelance marketplaces (Fiverr, Upwork) and on-demand staffing.
The employment status question
Platforms historically classified their workers as self-employed independent contractors, avoiding obligations to pay National Minimum Wage, holiday pay and pension contributions. In 2021, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Uber drivers were workers — a legal category between employee and self-employed — entitling them to minimum wage and holiday pay.
What worker status actually means
Worker status in UK law gives workers minimum wage, the right to annual leave, protection from discrimination and access to the pension auto-enrolment scheme. They do not get protection from unfair dismissal, redundancy pay or many other rights that apply only to employees.
Does the flexibility serve workers?
Surveys of gig workers show significant minorities who value the flexibility — parents managing childcare, people running multiple income streams, those for whom conventional employment does not work. Other workers report that income volatility and the absence of sick pay are significant harms that outweigh the flexibility benefit.