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11 June 2021 / Ian Smith
Issue: 7936 / Categories: Features , Employment , Tribunals
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Employment law brief: 11 June 2021

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Ian Smith investigates a gap in protection for workers in the ‘gig economy’
  • The worker definition and the relevance of mutuality of obligations.
  • Compensation for indirect discrimination is compatible with Convention rights.
  • Disability likely to last 12 months or recur—a question of timing.

Unusually, the major item of news this last month has been a relatively quick legislative reaction to a serious criticism of the existing law in a decision of the High Court. This was the successful challenge in Independent Workers Union of Great Britain v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2021] IRLR 102 to the restriction of the protection of the Employment Rights Act 1996, s 44 (health and safety detriment) to ‘employees’; the point behind the challenge was that in the ‘gig economy’ there was a gap in protection for those who are workers but not employees, especially in relation to the COVID pandemic. It was held that this restriction was contrary to the backing of health and safety directives. The government has not appealed against this judgment and have now produced

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly

Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly

Gateley Legal expands Midlands residential development team

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

NEWS
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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