A new report from the University of Sheffield reveals that more than a third of self-employed delivery drivers believe their hourly pay falls below the national minimum wage. The findings also indicate that these drivers face intense digital monitoring and considerably weaker employment protections compared with directly employed workers.
Survey of 1,400 drivers
The survey, which canvassed more than 1,400 parcel delivery drivers across the UK, uncovered a range of costs borne by drivers, including fuel, insurance, vehicle upkeep and mobile phones. Drivers operating on a self-employed basis, rather than being directly employed, were found to be more likely to carry out unpaid work.
Just over one third of self-employed drivers estimated they earned less than the national minimum wage. More than half of self-employed drivers reported taking no breaks throughout the working day, compared with just 13% of those in direct employment.
Contractual status matters
Kirsty Newsome, professor in employment relations at the University of Sheffield, said: "Parcel delivery is part of everyday life for millions of us, but the people doing the work are largely hidden from view."
"Our research shows just how much contractual status matters. Self-employed drivers carry the costs and risks of the job, with less predictable pay, more unpaid time and far weaker employment protections, while facing the same intense monitoring and pressure as their employed counterparts."
Flexibility valued
Many of the self-employed drivers surveyed said they valued the flexibility of their working arrangements, and around two-thirds said they would prefer to stay self-employed.
