Nicole Slowey’s Post

Food for thought ahead of the Spring Statement… Qdos Contractor asked freelancers, contractors and the self-employed which political party they think represents their best interests. Their answer? Nearly two in three said none of the main parties.   So what does this tell us? In short, whichever party champions the flexible workforce has the potential to win millions of votes ahead of the next general election. Business Matters Magazine covered the story… #selfemployment #flexibleworking #SpringStatement 

The Platform Workers Directive could, unexpectedly, be passed by the end of Belgium's EU presidency. The compromise text gained support from a majority of employment, social affairs, and health ministers during their summit in Brussels. Many freelance platforms, including those in IT, could face a substantial impact. According to the directive, platform workers will be considered employees if they meet at least two out of five specific criteria: control over pay and working hours, performance monitoring, task allocation and distribution, control over working conditions (e.g., breaks, dress code, or conduct), and restrictions on work organization. Member states may amend the list. The European Parliament is expected to vote on the agreement in April 2024. https://lnkd.in/dAEpTrvs

Now all platform workers can picture this… Their calendar is filled with association meetings, more than ever they have attended before. They are brimming with confidence because they no longer have to worry about fighting for their basic rights alone. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has announced plans to formally represent cabbies, ride-hailing drivers, and freelance delivery workers once the new Platform Workers Bill is enacted. This is big news for the gig economy! Here's why this is HUGE: 📌 They will have a voice as strong as traditional unions 📌 Legal power to negotiate better deals with platform operators 📌 A formal process to resolve disputes (no more silent suffering!) 📌 Standardized work injury compensation (safety first!) 📌 Increased CPF contributions from operators (better savings!) This is a significant shift in how we view gig work. This move recognizes platform workers as a crucial part of our workforce, deserving of the same protections and benefits as traditional employees. It's about time The Platform Workers Bill is set to roll out on January 1, 2025. What aspect of these changes excites you most? Share your thoughts below! #GigEconomySG #PlatformWorkers #NTUC #WorkersRights #HRPerspective Source - https://lnkd.in/gYqgg4nV

California's AB5 made it more difficult for workers to be freelancers, gig workers, and contractors. The intention was to get more workers on payroll instead. The result? Contrary to the goals of the lawmakers, we find no consistent evidence that traditional (W-2) employment increased for affected occupations in California post-AB5. Instead: On average, 1 in 10 self-employed individuals may have lost self-employment opportunities in California among occupations not exempt from AB5, while there is no evidence of an accompanying increase in traditional employment opportunities among workers in non-exempt occupations. https://lnkd.in/eFgQAvbg

HUGE news in the #employment space! A new act is around the corner to regulate the #gigeconomy and #platformworkers. Dubbed the Platform Workers Act, the draft bill was just introduced in Parliament yesterday. If passed, it will create an interim class of workers - in between freelancers and employees. Similar to the UK position. If passed, the Act will cover (1) CPF contributions; (2) formal representation (not unlike union representation); and (3) work injury compensation. Coverage is limited to delivery and ride-hailing services, for now. You could say it's not 'new' news - we've known that Parliament has been looking to cover these areas and create a new class of workers since late 2022. But it's a herculean task to have pieced the bill together. Hats off to all those involved. The effects will be far-reaching too. As Yufeng Kok at The Straits Times reports, we're looking at over 70,000 workers affected (based on 2023 statistics). The second reading of the bill will bear close watching (Patrick Tay says it's early next month)!

Protect gig worker freedom! 🚀 New rule threatens independence, but we can have benefits & flexibility. Let's find a balanced solution! 💼💪 #GigEconomy #WorkersRights Read 🔗 👇

Labour's workers' rights reforms may have the right intentions to protect vulnerable workers, but will it have unintended, and costly, consequences for the UK contracting market? See our thoughts in GSA's latest blog article... #contracting #workersrights

The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 21, 2024, regarding Proposition 22, which has been a subject of legal debate since its passage in 2020. The proposition, backed by gig industry companies, classified gig workers as independent contractors¹². During the proceedings, the justices seemed to be looking for a middle ground rather than a complete overturn of the law. The main issue under consideration was whether Prop. 22 conflicts with the state Legislature's constitutional authority to enforce a complete workers' compensation system¹². The court did not appear inclined to invalidate the entire law, which would impact gig workers who rely on some of its provisions, such as guaranteed earnings of 120% of the minimum wage for the time they spend driving or delivering¹². However, no final ruling was issued yesterday, and the outcome remains pending. The court's decision will be closely watched, as it will have significant implications for gig workers and the companies that employ them in California¹². Source: (1) California Supreme Court appears hesitant to overrule voters on gig .... https://lnkd.in/ghc85BZu. (2) California Supreme Court Appears Hesitant to Overrule Voters on ... - KQED. https://lnkd.in/g9eH6zMG. (3) California Court Rules Prop 22 Unconstitutional, Dealing Blow to Uber .... https://lnkd.in/gaP4-N4x. (4) California Supreme Court seems poised to leave Prop. 22 unchanged. https://lnkd.in/gpCRfT3S.

This ruling allows gig economy companies to classify their workers as independent contractors rather than employees. This landmark decision has significant implications for both workers and companies across the state. For gig workers, the ruling means that they will continue to operate without the benefits and protections typically afforded to employees, such as unemployment insurance, health benefits, and paid sick leave. While many gig workers appreciate the flexibility and autonomy that comes with independent contractor status, the lack of benefits raises ongoing concerns about job security and financial stability. On the flip side, companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash can maintain their business models with reduced operational costs, allowing them to continue providing their services without the added burden of employee-related expenses. This ruling strengthens the gig economy framework in California and may set a precedent for other states considering similar legislation. However, this decision is not without its critics. Advocates for gig workers argue that it undermines workers’ rights and the ability to organize for better conditions. As the gig economy continues to evolve, the conversation around worker classification and rights will undoubtedly persist. As we move forward, it's essential for both workers and companies to engage in dialogue about the future of work and the balance between flexibility and protection. What are your thoughts on the implications of this ruling for the gig economy? Compliance Events for Regional Business Partners. More at www.hrsingapore.org #HR #Law

LABOUR / IR35 / SELF-EMPLOYED: Labours renewed stance on the self-employed. Labour have refreshed their New Deal document, and renamed it to "Labour's Plan to Make Work Pay". It came out on 24/5/2024 (last night). Page 7: Talks about status - there's going to be a new consultation on status (yawn). For viewers unaware, there have been countless reviews on status over the years, which have gone nowhere. Labour are claiming they are going to simplify the unsimplifiable, by coming up with a clear way to discern employees and the self-employed. Good luck with that one! The courts have been trying to do this for 100+ years, and got nowhere. And given the Treasury "success" of Off-payroll, there will be fierce resistance from Treasury/HMRC to introduce a simple test - because it will need hard lines and then everyone will game it. (FYI - the only simple test that can ever work, based on my 20+ years of looking at this is "what did the parties agree.") Page 8: [Strap in. ] "Labour is the party of the self-employed and recognises their significant contribution to the UK economy, and the next Labour government will support and champion them." Me: Sounds good, doesn't it? But, then.... "We will strengthen rights and protections to help self-employed workers thrive in good quality self-employment, including the right to a written contract, which for example would benefit freelancers, action to tackle late payments, and by extending health and safety and blacklisting protections to self-employed workers. Our plans to strengthen trade union rights will also benefit selfemployed workers." Me: Labour clearly have no idea what the self-employed want, or what they are, referring to them like they are fallen starlings with broken wings who need looking after. What the self-employed want - is to be left-TF-alone. The ones who chose to be self-employed are not vulnerable, and want to work that way. Just don't drop turd bombs on them when COVID happens, like the Tories did, and stop trying to claim they are "deemed employees." So, we are going to get a "review" (this calls for immediate discussion - as per Life of Brian), and then well, nothing will happen, unless people speak up and rally their MPs like mad. If anything, it could be worse. Go look up "AB5" in the US/California. Scary. #ir35 #offpayroll