Worker status under the Employment Rights Act 1996
Worker status sits between self-employed and employee, giving gig drivers rights like minimum wage and holiday pay.
Last checked 17/10/2026.
Worker status is a legal middle ground in UK law. It applies to people who work for a company personally but do not run a traditional business that can send anyone else to do the work. Many private hire drivers have fought for this status in court to secure basic workplace protections.
If you have worker status, you are not a standard employee. You do not get redundancy pay or unfair dismissal rights. But you do get core legal protections that normal self-employed contractors do not receive.
- The right to the national minimum wage for your working time
- Paid holiday accrued over the year
- Protection from discrimination and whistleblowing penalties
- Rest breaks and limits on working hours
Whether you have this status depends on how much control the app has over your work, and whether you are required to do the deliveries or passenger trips yourself. Exact entitlements depend on your specific agreement and tribunal rulings.
Sources
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