Drake v Ipsos Mori UK Ltd [2012]

The claimant worked for the respondent as a market researcher under a succession of individual assignments. It was explained to the claimant at the outset that he would be engaged on an assignment basis only, that there was no obligation on him to accept work and no obligation on the respondent to offer assignments. He was not issued with a contract of employment or any statement of terms and conditions of employment, although he had various guides and a handbook. The claimant was not offered any more assignments and claimed unfair dismissal.

The Employment Tribunal found that he was a worker, but not an employee on the basis that "there was no mutuality of obligation either from one