Retailers face criticism for employing young Christmas staff on gig contracts without basic rights.
- Major retailers use social media apps to recruit temporary holiday workers.
- Gig contracts lack standard employment benefits and protections.
- Influencers are promoting gig work recruitment on platforms like TikTok.
- Concerns grow over the legal protections for gig economy workers.
Retailers have recently come under scrutiny for employing young Christmas staff on gig contracts, depriving them of essential employment rights. Unions have highlighted this trend, pointing out that platforms like TikTok are being utilised for recruitment, where temporary workers are denied basic benefits and protections traditionally afforded to employees.
Major retailers such as Lush, Urban Outfitters, Uniqlo, and Gymshark are reportedly leveraging gig apps to hire “freelance” shop assistants for the busy festive season. These apps, including Temper and YoungOnes, are widely promoted by social media influencers with vast followings, raising concerns about the employment status of those recruited.
According to The Observer, Urban Outfitters advertised for “friendly young people” to work as freelance sales assistants across various locations, offering £12 per hour. However, these workers have to reapply daily for shifts, a practice that raises questions regarding their job security and rights.
Traditionally, retailers have hired agency staff who enjoy minimum employment rights like holiday pay and guaranteed wages. In contrast, gig workers are not entitled to the same level of legal protection, prompting calls from union representatives such as Tim Sharp from the Trades Union Congress to address this “worrying new development.”
The recent rise in gig worker recruitment occurs against the backdrop of increasing violence against retail workers. The British Retail Consortium has urged public support to combat escalating abuse incidents, which have reportedly surged to over 1,300 daily cases. This context emphasises the need for safeguarding all retail employees, particularly vulnerable gig economy workers.
The emerging practice of hiring gig workers during peak retail seasons raises significant concerns about employment rights and worker protection.
