{"id":946,"date":"2018-07-03T14:41:17","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T14:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gravitashr.co.uk\/?p=946"},"modified":"2022-10-31T08:06:15","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T08:06:15","slug":"plumbing-the-depths-in-pimlico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gravitashr.co.uk\/blog\/employment-law\/plumbing-the-depths-in-pimlico\/","title":{"rendered":"Plumbing the depths in Pimlico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For the last couple of weeks, the Gravitas Grapevine has been buzzing with news about Pimlico Plumbers and the Supreme Court\u2019s recent finding against them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Only if you\u2019ve been completely wrapped up in the World Cup, will you have missed the news – how the famous (some might say \u2018infamous\u2019) plumbing company has lost the case brought by Gary Smith, one of their workers.<\/p>\n

Just a minute!\u00a0 Did you say \u2018workers?\u2019\u00a0 Well yes I did, and of course, this is exactly the point.\u00a0 The question which so vexed the court is this –<\/p>\n

When is a worker not a worker?\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>When are they a sub-contractor?<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0Does it even matter?<\/em>\u00a0 Well of course, it does matter, and it certainly matters to Gary Smith and many of his Pimlico Plumbers \u2018co-workers\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0After all, as \u2018workers\u2019, they\u2019re entitled to all kinds of rights, such as holiday entitlement and sick pay – rights which Charlie Mullins the colourful entrepreneur, who is the founder and owner of Pimlico Plumbers, is determined should be denied.<\/em><\/p>\n

Clearing away the myth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before we look at the nuts and bolts of the case, let\u2019s clear up one point.\u00a0 So much of the media have been reaching for the smelling salts, as we\u2019ve read melodramatic claims, such as<\/p>\n

\u2018Pimlico Plumbers loses case on employment rights in blow to gig economy.\u2019 –\u00a0<\/em>The Express<\/p>\n

\u2018Pimlico Plumbers has lost a court battle over the status of its workers, in the latest legal ruling on employment status in the gig economy.\u2019 –\u00a0<\/em>The Guardian.<\/em><\/p>\n

The so-called \u2018gig economy<\/em>\u2019 refers to a segment of the labour market which concentrates on short term \/ temporary jobs and contracts.\u00a0 Like a musician who goes from one gig to the next, the gig economy refers to a growing range of people who don\u2019t have typical, stable employment, but who work as self-employment and temporary contractors.<\/p>\n

A worker or not a worker – that is the question<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gary Smith\u2019s arrangement with Pimlico Plumbers had been in place for 6 years until 2011.\u00a0 He challenged the firm\u2019s view that he was self-employed and won his case at a tribunal.\u00a0 Pimlico CEO, Charlie Mullins, took the decision to the Supreme Court.\u00a0 Just a couple of weeks ago, this court rejected the appeal in favour of Gary Smith.<\/p>\n

Pimlico argued Smith was an \u201cindependent contractor<\/em>\u201d rather than a worker or employee.\u00a0 Gary Smith\u2019s contention was that, although he was self-employed, his mode of working meant he was effectively an employee and therefore deserved employee rights.\u00a0 So – what was it about Gary Smith\u2019s arrangement with Pimlico Plumbers that gave him, in his eyes, and in the eyes of the court, the status of an employed \u2018worker<\/em>\u2019?<\/p>\n

Here are just a few –<\/p>\n

1. Gary worked from a Pimlico Plumbers branded van and wore their distinctive uniform.<\/p>\n

2. He was expected to carry out certain administrative duties (clerical work etc)<\/p>\n

3. Pimlico controlled how much and when he was paid<\/p>\n

4. He was forbidden from passing his work on to a third party.<\/p>\n

5. Pimlico Plumbers was neither his client nor his customer.<\/p>\n

6. Overall, Gary Smith\u2019s relationship was one of a subordinate to Pimlico Plumbers.<\/p>\n

So, is that it?\u00a0 Will all Pimlico Plumbers\u2019 workers now be upgraded to employee status?\u00a0 Will they all enjoy the same rights as conventional employees.\u00a0 Not so fast.\u00a0 Charlie Mullins is made of sterner stuff.\u00a0 He says that the judges missed the chance to \u2018bring employment law into 21st century.\u2019\u00a0 He is going to pursue his case as far as he can and promises to work with the government to rectify this \u2018terrible situation\u2019.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile the GMB union, inspired by this case, claim to have Amazon in their sights.\u00a0 Whatever, the outcome, it\u2019s clear that employment law is embarking on uncharted waters.\u00a0 Undoubtedly, we live in interesting times.<\/p>\n

Call us for honest, straight-talking HR advice – 01604 763494<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Or email –\u00a0info@GravitasHR.co.uk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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