Thousands of British DPD drivers set for huge pay bump that could earn them 29k-a-year and here
DRIVERS for delivery firm DPD could see their earnings surge to £29,000 a year following a review sparked by the death of a worker who was fined for taking a day off to see his doctor.
Diabetic Don Lane missed a string of appointments with specialists in a bid to avoid £150 penalties if he failed to find cover for his shift, sparking an outcry.
The self-employed driver, who had worked for DPD for 19 years, collapsed behind the wheel of his van a number of times before he died in January at the age of 53.
At the time DPD said that it was “profoundly sorry” that it charged Don, adding: “We got it wrong on that occasion”.
The tragedy prompted a review which has seen the firm recommend 6,000 UK delivery drivers be able to choose if they want to be employed directly, be a self-employed franchisee or become a self-employed worker.
Currently DPD drivers earn on average £22,000 a year, according to data from jobs website Indeed.
But, the new self-employed worker contract is designed to give drivers earnings of £28,800 a year, based on working five days a week, along with 28 annual days' holiday, a pension and sick pay.
They described it as a “benchmark” for the industry.
The changes are due to come into force on July 3.
As part of the review, the company, which operates more than 8,000 vehicles, confirmed it is scrapping the so-called "breach system".
Its "driver code" will offer drivers the choice to switch their employment status, with a "try before you buy" contract to help them decide.
The company's chief executive Dwain McDonald said: "I think the new worker contract is a great package and it will set the benchmark in our industry.
"But we've made it very clear that we think it should be about driver choice - there are three great ways to contract with DPD now and drivers are free to choose which one suits them best.
"Loads of our drivers tell us they still love the self-employed franchisee model because of the flexibility and the capacity to earn significantly more.
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"While we've been able to improve this contract further as part of this review, we recognise that it isn't for everyone.
"In future we want to make sure that drivers fully understand the risks and the benefits, whichever way they contract with us."
It comes amid growing debate over the rights of workers in the so-called "gig economy", where they are often deemed self-employed.
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