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Employee Status Of An Employment Law

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An employee status is a central topic in an employment law. There is a distinction between employees employed under a contract of service and independent contractors who work under a contract for services. There are certain rights that only employees benefit from, such as the right to claim unfair dismissal or to obtain a holiday pay or a sick pay. Section 230(1) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA) defines an employee as ‘an individual who has entered or works under a contract of employment’. Section 230(2) of the ERA defines a contract of employment as a ‘contract of service or apprenticeship, whether express or implied, and whether oral or in writing’. The scenario describes one group of the atypical workers- casual workers, who are often described as individuals who attend work ‘as and when required’. The issue to determine is whether the waiters were employees of the hotel or independent contractors. Firstly, there needs to be a contract of employment. Essential elements of a valid contract of employment are an intention to enter into legal relations, an offer and its acceptance and consideration. Tests establishing an employment relationship The courts over the years have provided various tests to determine employment relationship. The traditional test- the control test, which had its origins in Walker v Crystal Palace Football Club [1910] established the idea of who, what, where and how. It decided if the level of control that an employer has

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