Today’s ruling by the UK’s Supreme Court that Uber’s drivers are its own workers and not independent contractors highlights its jeopardy of trying to ensure and control a first-class ride-hailing service while insisting on second-class working conditions for those who provide it.
The judges said they based their decision on the facts that Uber sets the fare prices for its drivers, imposes contracts and terms of service, rates them, requires them to be logged into its app and restricts their communications with passengers — all compromising their independence and suggesting they are “workers” for the company.
“Businesses can't have it both ways, if they want to protect their brand through tight quality control, it's more difficult to claim that the individuals providing the service are self-employed,” commented Alexandra Mizzi of law firm Howard Kennedy.