Essential points
-
The rights someone has at work – for example, whether they are entitled to redundancy pay or are protected against unfair dismissal – are dependent on whether they are an employee, a worker or self-employed.
-
Employment status is not defined clearly in law and the definitions used for tax purposes are different to those used for employment rights.
-
The growth in the gig economy has given rise to many claims for the rights of ‘workers’, such as the right to receive the National Minimum Wage and paid holidays, from gig workers who have been defined by the organisations they work for as ‘self-employed’.
CIPD member content
This content is only available for CIPD members
If you’re already a CIPD member, please sign in to access this content
Disclaimer
Please note: While every care has been taken in compiling this content, CIPD cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice.
CIPD HR-inform
Access over 1500 customisable contracts, policies, letters, case law, and other HR tools, with CIPD members enjoying a 50% discount.
Employment
law helplines
Are you a CIPD member?
Need help with an employment law matter?
Related content on employment status
Understand how being defined in UK law as an employee, a worker or self-employed affects employment rights and employers’ legal responsibilities
Practical guidance to help you identify and implement good atypical working practices
Understand what employers need to do to manage fixed-term contracts within the law
Understand what employers need to do to manage self-employed contractors within the law
A round up of the year's statutory rates, providing quick and easy access to information on compensation limits, family friendly payments, statutory sick pay, national minimum wage, disclosure and barring fees and National Insurance contribution thresholds
Explore our collection of resources around legal issues surrounding race discrimination, including Q&As and relevant case law
Explore our collection of resources around the gender pay gap in UK employment law