New EU Laws to Protect GIG Economy Workers

New rules to protect “GIG Economy Workers” have been approved by the European Parliament.  The new EU rules will set rights and demands for workers in on-demand (pay as you go) jobs like Deliveroo and Uber.

The rules will offer workers more predictable hours and possible compensation for cancelled work. The new rules will apply to vulnerable employees on such contracts and in non-standard jobs, which will also include zero contract hour jobs.

Employees in EU member states already have working hours, minimum breaks and holiday entitlement protections in place.  The “gig economy” is where people work on a casual basis and may have multiple jobs, with flexible non consistent hours.

The UK will only be able to apply the law if they are still a member state of the EU 3 years after the new rules come into force. Although, given that the UK plans to mirror many EU rules post Brexit, we can these rules being applied.

Employers must inform the employees on the first day of employment the following;

• Description of their duties
• Pay information and employment start date
• An indication of a standard working day or hours.
• Compensation rights for late cancellation of work
• Only one probationary period, lasting a maximum of 6 months
• Banning exclusivity clauses, in allowing employees to have other jobs.

The new rules will apply to all employees that work 3 or more hours a week averaged over 4 weeks. They will also apply to trainees and apprentices in similar circumstances.  It will not apply to genuinely self-employed people who work for themselves.  It is estimated that around 3 million people work in the ‘gig economy’.