Issue 733

TUC urges ban on umbrella companies

A major union body has called on the government to outlaw companies that use mechanisms in order to avoid paying tax and insurance for people on their payroll.

Allocation of hours

Although an employer did not sanction an employee for not working specified hours, a court has said that the requirement amounted to a discriminatory policy.

No union recognition

A court has held that because freelancers have limited rights at work, they cannot claim the right under European law to operate as members of a labour union.