Definition of self employment.earning income from your own trade or profession rather then from an employer.if you are aligned to let's say Kearns company for instance and you breach his rules,he will discipline you by knocking you off his system for a limited period of time therefore hindering your ability to potentially earn more.to that extent you are not self employed,because you have sucome to a set of rules determined by someone which had a direct impact on your ability to earn.imo it should be clarified in a court of law if these people have a duty of care insofar as employees rights,and procedures are concerned