News type
Date end
News memo
On 26 March 2018, delivery company DPD that services big names including John Lewis and Marks and Spencer announced that it would be offering its 6,000 UK-based couriers the right to choose their employment status. Going forward they can choose between employee status with lower pay, worker status with access to some rights including paid leave and sick leave (c.f. article No. 10065), and the former self-employed status. 5,000 of DPD’s couriers are currently self-employed. DPD’s move is both voluntary and significant, marking a first in the burgeoning controversial gig economy, and follows a high profile tragic case of a courier’s death in January 2018. The courier in question suffered from diabetes and had missed several medical appointments because he didn’t dare take time out from his working day lest he incur DPD’s daily £150 fine (€170.60) for un-delivered parcels. The company will also abolish the daily fine for missing work and is expected to shortly reveal the details for these new contracts that will become effective in July.
Source Info
News date