Legal briefing
Deliveroo’s riders are employees
12/06/2018
On 1 June 2018, the Labour Court number 6 of Valencia has issued the first ruling on the legal nature of the relationship between a company providing home delivery services and its riders.
On 1 June 2018, the Labour Court number 6 of Valencia has issued the first ruling on the legal nature of the relationship between a company providing home delivery services and its riders.
The proceeding derives from the claim for unfair dismissal filed by a Deliveroo rider, when the company ended the relationship unilaterally due to the rider having rejected several deliveries.
Following a thorough analysis of the contracts signed by the parties, the policies issued by the company and how the day to day activities of riders are organised and monitored, the Labour Court has concluded that (i) Deliveroo effectively controls the activities of its riders, (ii) they are a key part of the company’s organizational structure and (iii) they do not take on any risk with their activity.
Consequently, it declares that their relationship is of an employment nature.