Most people that have studied Australian labour law will remember the case of bicycle couriers trying to establish they were employees in Hollis v Vabu (2001) 207 CLR 21. The case is prolific for articulating the fundamental indicia to be used in distinguishing employees from independent contractors.
Now, bicycle couriers in the UK are bringing a legal challenge against a number of companies in order to attain employee rights (such as paid holidays and the minimum wage) for the growing number of couriers wrongly categorised as self-employed. The challenge could mean greater rights for as many as 460,000 people who are believed to be miscategorised as independent workers and thus missing out on employee entitlements.
Read more about the action, and the distinction between employees and independent contractors in the UK here:
Fantastic article. Good analysis.