A trio of big-name retailers have reportedly agreed to stop hiring UK freelance staff via gig economy apps after union organising body the TUC  drew their attention to weak workers’ rights when using apps such as YoungOnes and Temper.

That’s according to the Guardian, which said Lush, Uniqlo and Gymshark have stopped using the apps. The TUC had written to them, voicing concerns that the workers were missing out on significant employment rights. Such apps were popular go-to resources for some retailers to build up staff numbers for the festive season. 

Gymshark hasn’t commented on its strategy but has reportedly stopped using such apps. Lush and Uniqlo both told the newspaper they hired very few people in this way and no longer use them.

The apps have a number of online influencers promoting their services and attention was first drawn to them by Guardian sister newspaper the Observer last month.

The TUC has called the increasing us of these apps “extremely worrying”. It said as a result of staff recruited this way being classed as self-employed, they could be more at risk of being denied important rights like the statutory minimum wage, sickness and holiday pay, breaks during the working day and unfair dismissal protection.

There was also the suggestion that it wouldn’t reflect well on the businesses concerned. 

In a letter to the CEOs of the firms, Kate Bell, TUC assistant general secretary, wrote: “Anyone looking at this arrangement from outside would consider it laughable that the person serving them was a self-employed worker akin to a visiting tradesman, rather than the permanent or temporary worker for your business.”