Uber to offer UK drivers sick pay and injury cover amid workers' rights row

Other benefits include jury service cover of up to £2,000 and access to free advice and support on paying tax as well as personal finance issues

(Carl Court/Getty)

Uber has announced its drivers in the UK will now have access to a range of benefits including sick pay and injury cover as the ride-hailing company tackles criticism over workers’ rights.

Under the company’s new partnership with the Association of Independent Professionals & the Self-Employed (IPSE), all active Uber drivers will get sickness and injury cover of up to £2,000 if they are unable to drive for two weeks or more.

Drivers can join the IPSE scheme for £2 a week in exchange for benefits worth £8 a week, Uber said.

Other benefits include jury service cover of up to £2,000 and access to free advice and support on paying tax as well as personal finance issues.

Drivers will also get occupational accident cover of £300 per week for up to a year if an accident takes place during an Uber trip.

Chris Bryce, chief executive of IPSE, said: “In addition to gaining valuable illness and injury cover, drivers will benefit from being part of the UK’s largest voice dedicated to supporting the self-employed community.”

The announcement comes after a UK employment tribunal in October ruled that Uber drivers should be classified as workers and be paid the “national living wage” in a landmark ruling that could force companies participating in the growing gig economy to change their business model.

The ride-hailing company is appealing against the decision. But the ruling means Uber could be open to claims from its 40,000 drivers in the UK, who are currently not entitled benefits such as pensions or paid holiday. Uber argues that its drivers are not employees but independent self-employed contractors who want to keep their “freedom and flexibility”.

Jo Bertram, regional general manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Drivers who make money through Uber tell us they love the freedom of being their own boss and choosing if, when and where they drive.”

“But drivers have also told us they want more security if something unexpected happens. That’s why we’re really pleased to offer drivers this package with IPSE so they have more support in case of illness or injury. We want Uber to be the best possible experience so we’ll carry on listening to drivers about further improvements we can make to our app.”