A hairdresser has won a ‘landmark’ legal battle that is set to have implications for thousands of beauty industry workers.

Meghan Gorman, 26, won an Employment Tribunal judgment in her favour after her lawyer argued that, although she had a contract as a self-employed hairdresser, the amount of control over her working practices effectively made her an employee.

Ms Gorman worked at Terence Paul from 2013 until it closed in 2019. During that time her employer retained 67% of her earnings, dictated her working hours, prices charged and products used. She was forced to conform to Terence Paul’s dress standard and was required to notify the salon in advance of time off work.

Judge Marion Batten of the Employment Tribunal ruled that Ms Gorman was an employee in his March ruling. Judge Batten’s final ruling confirmed the above reasons to substantiate Ms Gorman’s employment status.

“This ruling could have far-reaching effects,” explains Judith Fiddler of Direct Law & Personnel, who represented Ms Gorman, “not only for hairdressers, but potentially for dentists, hygienists, delivery drivers and bookkeepers and possibly many other employees misclassified as self-employed. The significance of this case is huge, as many people who think they are self-employed are actually employees.

“The Pimlico Plumbers and Uber drivers’ cases changed the climate. Our case was that Meghan was treated as an employee during her six years at Terence Paul. At all times she was treated as an employee and her bosses exercised tight control over all aspects of her work. DLP Legal will continue to work with Ms Gorman to ensure her full rights are recognised and any compensation due her will be dutifully pursued.”

Read the full judgement at https://www.dlp.org.uk/dlp-legal-employment-tribunal-hairdresser/