James v Redcats (Brands) Ltd [2007] IRLR 296 is a legal case in the United Kingdom on the definition of a worker under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that lack of "mutuality of obligation" does not affect the status of being an employee, and therefore coverage under the 1998 Act.
She was making a claim that she was not being paid a minimum wage, and as a preliminary point, it needed to be determined whether she was a "worker" under s 54(3) of the 1998 Act.
Redcats set delivery deadlines and gave detailed instructions on how to carry out her duties.
At the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Ms James argued this was simply untrue and there was an obligation to accept work.