Hermes couriers bring legal case against self-employed status
Legal action has been launched against delivery company Hermes on behalf of eight couriers who believe they are entitled to workers' rights such as holiday pay and the national living wage.
Posted on 03 May 2017
The claims have been launched in the Employment Tribunal by the GMB union, represented by law firm Leigh Day.
The couriers believe they are being denied workers’ rights because they are classed as self-employed.
Leigh Day is currently representing drivers and couriers from Uber, Deliveroo, DX and UK Express in similar ‘gig economy’ cases.
Michael Newman, partner in Leigh Day’s employment team, said: "We believe that Hermes are deliberately avoiding giving their couriers the rights to which they are entitled.
"They do so by labelling the couriers who work for them as self-employed, when the reality is different.
"We have started employment tribunal proceedings in order to challenge this, so that these couriers can enforce their rights as workers."
Maria Ludkin, GMB Legal Director, said:
“GMB will fight bogus self-employment and exploitative practices whenever and wherever we can.
“Under the false claims of ‘flexibility’ Hermes seems to think it’s acceptable to wriggle out of treating its workers with respect.”