James v. Redcats (Brands) Ltd

"James v. Redcats (Brands) Ltd" [2007] ICR 1006 is a legal case on the definition of a worker under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. In it the Employment Appeal Tribunal held that lack of mutuality of obligation does not affect the status of being an employee, and therefore coverage under the 1998 Act.

Facts

Ms James worked for Redcats (Brands) Ltd, a postal company, [ [http://www.redcatscouriers.com/site/index.asp Redcats Couriers] home page on the web] as a courier. She was making a claim that she was not being paid a minimum wage, and as a preliminary point, it needed to be determined whether she was a "worker" under s.54(3) of the 1998 Act. Redcats argued that she was "self-employed" and therefore not protected by the legislation.

Ms James used her own car to deliver parcels. Redcats set delivery deadlines and gave detailed instructions on how to carry out her duties. The first tribunal held there was only a contract for services (i.e. self employed) not of service (i.e. not a 'worker') because there was no so called "mutuality of obligation". Redcats did not promise her any particular amount of work, said the tribunal and she could always decline it.

At the Employment appeals tribunal Ms James argued this was simply untrue and there was an obligation to accept work.

Judgment

Elias J found in favour of Ms James. She was indeed a worker, and even if there was a lack of mutuality of obligation, this did not matter to the status of a person when work was being done. Even if a person is doing small contractual stints, and there was no overarching contract, there could still be an employment relationship (following "McMeechan v. Secretary of State for Employment" [1997] I.C.R. 549).

The case was remitted to the tribunal, on this guidance, to determine the case afresh.

ee also

*British labour law

Notes