Over the last few years, standards for van drivers and courier drivers have been inadequate. With self-employed courier drivers having endured poor working conditions, low rates of pay and the expectation to work long hours. There are a number of companies that have been held responsible for this treatment of drivers such as Amazon, Uber and Deliveroo. Following pressure from the driver network, the government and the general public, they have since had to change their ways. Addressing the working conditions of their drivers, offering an improved system for self-employed drivers.
There are numerous reports, highlighting just how poorly drivers have been treated in the past. Shockingly, self-employed courier drivers have exposed companies for expecting them to work for less than the UK minimum wage. Not only breaking the law, but putting many of these people at risk of huge financial trouble, struggling to put food on their tables and paying their household bills.
On top of this drivers working for the likes of Amazon were expected to work in appalling conditions. ‘Drivers delivering parcels for Amazon have been forced to work long hours, go to the toilet in bags and exceed the speed limit in order to meet delivery targets’. As a BBC undercover reporter discovered. Not only was this negligent it also put lives at risk. This expectation from companies led to an uprising amongst these drivers, the general public and from governments, demanding self-employed drivers be treated better by these billion dollar companies.
Since these reports were released, standards for drivers have had to change in order to keep drivers safe and treated fairly while working. With a number of changes being made to the way these large corporations operate.
For example, Uber was ordered by the Supreme Court in the UK to treat their drivers as workers rather than self-employed, allowing them to access the same benefits and employment rights as a full-time employee. Such as holiday pay, hourly pay, and the minimum wage. Since this ruling, Uber announced that all their drivers would be paid at least the National Living Wage.
The same changes were applied by Just Eat when they announced they would be switching to hourly pay for their drivers from pay-per-job. As well as offering sick pay, holiday pay and pension contributions. Bringing increased job security and income for their drivers for the first time. For those drivers who wish to remain self-employed, they can opt in or out of this new operating system. However big changes still need to be made by the likes of Amazon, where reports continue to expose subpar working conditions for their courier drivers.
At DeliveryApp we are on a mission to change the face of the logistics industry. Dedicated to offering any driver that joins us, regular, flexible courier jobs with fair rates of pay. We value all our drivers, offering the support they need to get the job done. No longer will you have to bid for jobs. Our platform will connect you with customers in the local area looking for a courier, who have parcels ready to move. On top of this our fast, automated payment system will ensure you are paid for jobs within 7 days. We are an ethical company, treating our drivers fairly.
Sounds like something you want? Sign up for free today and join DeliveryApp as one of our drivers.
Written by DeliveryApp
