At a time when the status of workers is of significant interest, the Court of Appeal has held that a plumber was a worker, as well as an employee under the Equality Act, despite his contract labelling him as an independent contractor.
In a largely fact-sensitive decision, the court determined that the plumber was required to provide personal service and that he was not in business on his own account; he was an integral part of Pimlico Plumbers' operations and was subordinate to it.