Government Launches Inquiry into Future of the World of Work

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has launched an inquiry into the future world of work, focussing on the rapidly changing nature of work, and the status and rights of agency workers, the self-employed and those working in the gig economy. The inquiry also looks at issues such as low-pay and poor working conditions for people working in these non-traditional employee roles.

The inquiry follows on from recent news stories about working practices and the use of agency staff at Asos, concerns about couriers at Hermes, and growing questions around the status of those working in the “on demand” economy, for businesses such as Uber and Deliveroo.

The terms of reference include:

1. Is the term 'worker' defined sufficiently clearly in law at present? If not, how should it be defined?

What should be the status and rights of agency workers, casual workers, and the self-employed (including those working in the 'gig economy'), for the purposes of tax, benefits and employment law?

2. For those casual and agency workers working in the 'gig economy', is the balance of benefits between worker and employer appropriate?

3. What specific provision should there be for the protection and support of agency workers and those who are not employees? Who should be responsible for such provision – the Government, the beneficiary of the work, a mutual, the individual themselves?

4. What differences should there be between levels of Government support for the self-employed and for employees, for example over statutory sick pay, holiday pay, employee pensions, maternity pay?

How should those rights be changed, to ensure fair protection for workers at work?What help should be offered in preparing those people who become self-employed (with, for example, financial, educational and legal advice), and who should be offering such help?

5. Is there evidence that businesses are treating agency workers unfairly, compared with employees?

6. Should there be steps taken to constrain the use by businesses of agency workers?

7. What are the issues surrounding terms and conditions of employees, including the use of zero-hour contracts, definitions of flexible contracts, the role of the Low Pay Commission, and minimum wage enforcement?

8. What is the role of trade unions in representing the self-employed and those not working in traditional employee roles?

Responses are required by 19 December.