Employment tribunal looking at couriers’ employment status
An employment tribunal in Leeds will be looking at a legal claim brought by GMB union members against courier company Hermes over their “self-employed” status.
The case is due to start today (30 April).
In a statement sent to Post&Parcel, the GMB union said that the legal action is being brought on behalf of eight Hermes couriers who believe they are being denied “workers’ rights” because of their self-employed status.
According to GMB: “The claimants are currently described as ‘Lifestyle couriers’, where Hermes treat them as self employed, which means drivers aren’t entitled to holiday pay to the national living wage.”
As previously reported this is the latest in a number of cases brought by GMB over members’ employment classification. In October 2016, GMB won a victory against Uber where a similar Employment Tribunal ruled that Uber drivers should have ‘worker’ status and the rights that go with it – but Uber is currently appealing this decision.
