abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb

The content is also available in the following languages: Deutsch, 한국어

Article

8 Nov 2024

Author:
The Guardian,
Author:
Wim Faber, TaxiTimes

UK: 15,000 Bolt drivers win legal claim to be classed as employees & in line for compensation over £200 million

"Thousands of UK Bolt drivers win legal claim to be classed as employees", 8 November 2024

Thousands of Bolt drivers have won their legal claim to be classed as employees and could be in line for compensation of more than £200m.

An employment tribunal ruled that 15,000 Bolt drivers were not self-employed contractors who ran their own businesses.

Lawyers from Leigh Day, representing the drivers, believe the compensation owed to their clients could be worth more than £200m.

The ruling follows a three-week hearing at the tribunal in September, and means the drivers are entitled to workers’ rights and protection under employment law.

Leigh Day said it affected all the 100,000-plus drivers who take on work through the Bolt private hire hailing app in the UK. The law firm had said the drivers could argue they should be classed as workers, with all the employment rights and protection that classification included...

A Bolt spokesperson said: “Drivers are at the heart of what we do, and we have always supported the overwhelming majority’s choice to remain self-employed independent contractors, protecting their flexibility, personal control and earning potential.

“We will continue to engage with drivers as we carefully review our options, including grounds for appeal, ensuring that we are helping drivers to succeed as entrepreneurs and grow on their own terms.”

The legal claim from Bolt drivers came after the UK supreme court determined in 2021 that Uber drivers were not self-employed but were workers entitled to rights including holiday pay, a guaranteed minimum wage and breaks.

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.