Zero hour contracts means that workers are employed without any guarantee about the amount of work they will gain.

In the past decade, the numbers working on zero hour contracts has significantly increased from 100,000 in 2000 to over 700,000 in 2015. This now accounts for approx. 2.4% of the workforce.

41% of people on a zero hour contract job – wish to gain a replacement job, additional job or more hours in current job. This compares to just 12% of people not on a zero hour contract. (Source: ONS Labour Market Survey, April to June 2015)

Supporters argue zero hour contracts have helped to increase labour market flexibility, reduce unemployment and reduce costs for firms. For some workers, the job flexibility is advantageous.

However, the rise of zero hour contracts have increased the phenomena of under-employment – where people have a job, but less hours and income than they would like. Critics argue that zero hour contracts lead to lower income, greater job and financial insecurity and reduced quality of life.

A sharp rise in zero hour contracts since 2011.

Zero hour contracts involve:

workers have no fixed amount of hours.

There is no obligation for the firm to give work to the employees

Workers can be asked at any time to do a job

Workers are under no obligation to take work when offered.

Zero hour contracts at gov.uk

Themes in zero-hour contracts

Zero hour contracts are more likely to be found in sectors, such as accommodation and food, and health and social work. This includes jobs, such as interpretors, sales, care works and even security.

Source ONS

According to government estimates 23% of employers now use zero hour contracts, including firms, such as the Co-op funeral staff, the House of Lords, Boots, McDonald’s, Poundland, Abercrombie & Fitch Bupa, Cineworld, Centerparcs, and the NHS.

Age profile

the highest percentage of zero hour contracts are amongst the age group 16-24, with 6.7% of workers (16-24) on zero hour contracts.

Actual hours worked

Criticisms of zero hour contracts

A worker may get a verbal promise of many hours, but then finds that they earn much less than they expected.

In practise, it is difficult to look for other jobs, whilst on a zero hour contract.

It makes it difficult to plan work and leisure because firms may call at the last minute.

It can lead to insufficient income, leaving workers struggling to pay bills.

Workers may prefer the security of a fixed income from benefits rather than the volatility of zero hour contracts.

Concern that workers on zero hour contracts may fall behind in training and quality of work. For example, security firms G4S uses workers on zero-hour contracts to fulfil custody detention services alongside Lincolnshire police (link)

Whether zero hour contracts increase employment is open to debate. Some feel they are a way to just replace traditional work contracts with more profitable flexible working practises.

41% of workers on zero hour contracts are looking for a replacement job or more hours in existing job.

Source ONS

Benefits of zero hour contracts

Enables people to work around childcare and other commitments, some workers may like the flexibility.

Helps firms become more competitive and hang on to workers, who otherwise would be made redundant.

The rise in UK unemployment since the start of recession of 2008 was relatively muted, zero hour contracts could be a reason. Since the end of the recession, unemployment has fallen quicker than in previous recessions. This fall in unemployment has corresponded with a rapid rise in zero-hour contracts.

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