UK food delivery app Deliveroo emerged victorious from the Supreme Court today in a landmark gig economy case, as reported by Sky News. Judges ruled the company’s self-employed riders do not qualify as workers or employees under British law.
In the decision, the court found that Deliveroo’s flexible contractor model allows too much independence for couriers to be considered staff. Riders set their own hours, can appoint stand-ins, and there are no exclusivity requirements.
Bringing the claim was the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), seeking to represent riders in pay talks. But an IWGB spokesperson admitted “our strength lies not in court rulings” while vowing to continue organising drivers.
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Deliveroo said its successful defence of employment status confirms its riders “value the flexibility self-employed work offers.” The judgement contrasts a 2020 top court ruling that Uber drivers qualify as workers.
