Augustine v Econnect Cars Ltd [2019]

The claimant worked for the respondent’s private hire car firm as a driver.  On commencing work with the respondent, there was an agreement that he would have rent free use of the electric car for the first six weeks and then thereafter, if it is collected from the depot at the start of the shift and returned at the end.  The claimant had the freedom to choose his hours as they were not determined by the respondent. The only expectation was that he would ‘work a reasonable number of hours each week’.  However, when he did take on work, he was not able to substitute with another driver for his allocated work when he was on the app.   The respondent had three classes