Controversy over the employment status of “workers” is raging, as demonstrated by Frank Field’s recent proposals to end the “rampant injustice” in the gig economy. But is this the whole story and is it true of traditional models of self-employed contractors and workers? The Government has acknowledged the need for reform in its Good Work Plan which proposes to implement many of the recommendations made by Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Arts and author of Employment Practices in the Modern Economy.

Matthew Taylor will be one of many eminent speakers taking part in City & Financial’s highly topical summit on Employment Status in the New Economic Era. This will be your opportunity to hear directly from those at the heart of some of the recent court decisions, including Addison Lee, Pimlico Plumbers, Uber and Deliveroo. We are particularly pleased that Chris Jeans QC of 11KBW will be on hand to guide you through the complexities of these decisions.

Equally important is the issue of tax status and in particular the extension of IR35 to private sector contractors which for the first time will shift the tax burden to the organisation for which they work. Bill Dodwell, Tax Director, Office for Tax Simplification will share his thoughts on this and on their work on Platforms, the Platform Economy and Tax Simplification.

We will also look at the wider social and economic implications of the changing workforce including workers on zero and short hours contracts, agency workers’ access to pay and the Government’s enforcement strategy.

Attending this key event will enable you to address the following critical issues:

• How should working practices evolve to adapt to the modern economic environment? 
• What is the Government’s proposed legislative agenda to ensure employment practices are fit for purpose? 
• How have the courts interpreted “worker” status and what are the implications for employers? 
• What are the particular HR issues when dealing with gig workers?
• How will IR35 impact organisations with contractors working through Personal Service Companies?
• How one-sided are flexible contracts and what are the benefits for those looking to work flexibly? 
• Will the Government’s labour market enforcement strategy end exploitation without affecting other flexible working arrangements?