Twelve exam writers are taking legal action against Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUP&A) over their employment status.

The writers claim that they should be classed as “workers,” which would entitle them to employment protection and holiday pay.

They were presented with new contracts in April 2024 which officially recognized them as “workers” and included changes such as reducing hourly rates for some tasks and setting holiday pay at 12.07%. However, they claim that these changes have led to a net pay cut for many.

To continue receiving work, the University required the writers to sign these new contracts, according to the claimants, which compromised their earnings.

Some of the claims are charted back as far as three decades ago, which suggests the long-standing issue of exam writers being employed under historic contracts.

The case aims to redress the writers’ employment status, ensuring they receive due compensation and fair treatment for their work.

Speaking to Solicitors Journal, Ryan Bradshaw, a solicitor representing the writers, said: “These exam writers have been denied fundamental rights that should have been afforded to them all along. The adjustments made by CUP&A under the guise of belatedly complying with their legal obligations were, in reality, a thinly veiled pay cut.”

Sarah Burton, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Society of Authors, who are backing the claim, added: “Our members are longstanding and committed exam writers for CUP&A, and to effectively compel them to sign new contracts which obliged them to take what amounts to a pay cut is shocking and unfair.”

A spokesperson for Cambridge University Press & Assessment told Varsity: “Our assessors received improved terms under new contracts earlier this year, which the claimants agreed to. It is not appropriate for us to comment further on an ongoing legal case.”