Zero hours contracts
26 October 2022
On 11 August 2022, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (“CIPD”) published a new report titled Zero-hours contracts: Evolution and current status. The report reflects on how zero hours contracts are used and considers their benefits and drawbacks for employers and workers.
The report is based on a new survey of employers which suggests that the number of workers engaged on zero hours contracts is small, accounting for about 3% of total employment, and has changed little since 2015.
The report seeks to make four recommendations to the Government on zero hours contracts:-
- Introduce a right for variable hours workers to request a more stable contract or working arrangement after they have been employed for six months.
- Create a statutory code of practice on the responsible management of zero hours workers, including a requirement to pay compensation if workers’ shifts are cancelled at short notice.
- Improve labour market enforcement, including through the creation of a single enforcement body and a stronger focus on supporting employer compliance.
- Abolish worker status to help clarify and enhance employment rights for zero hours workers and more widely.
Contact our regulatory team on 01254 828300 or find out about what they do here. The CIPD report can be found here – Zero-hours contracts: Evolution and current status (cipd.co.uk).
