Unpaid and Powerless: The Dark Side of Britain's Gig Economy The recent spike in cases of unpaid wages among hospitality workers has exposed a disturbing reality: many employees are being taken advantage of by their bosses, who often play multiple roles – including HR and grievance handler.
This is not just a matter of individual malfeasance; it's a symptom of a broader problem with the way we regulate and enforce workplace rights.
According to Acas, nearly half of hospitality workers experience problems at work, and early conciliation cases involving unpaid wages have increased by 17% between 2024 and 2025.