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Zero hoursEmployment lawLatest NewsEmployment contractsFlexible working

Vince Cable’s review of zero-hours contracts ‘inadequate’

by Rob Moss 28 Aug 2013
by Rob Moss 28 Aug 2013

The Government’s fact-finding exercise into zero-hours contracts is “inadequate” and requires further analysis to identify best practice for employers, according to a report published today.

The report, Flexibility or insecurity? Exploring the rise in zero hours contracts, published by The Work Foundation, calls for a more systematic investigation into zero-hours contracts than the review commissioned by business secretary Vince Cable.







































Characteristics of workers on zero-hours contracts (ZHCs) vs non-ZHC contracts

Characteristic ZHC Non-ZHC
Permanent 71% 93%
Two years or more* 44% 75%
Less than six months* 21% 8%
Weekly hours vary 75% 40%
Looking for another job 18% 7%
Would like more hours 26% 11%
Full-time students 26% 11%

* with current employer
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey, 2012 Q4 analysis from The Work Foundation

Work Foundation director and report author Ian Brinkley said: “There are vast numbers of workers who are unaware they are on zero-hours contracts. We still don’t know how many have taken them by choice and how many out of necessity. Nor do we yet understand the true reasons why employers are making more use of them.

“A fuller investigation would enable accurate analysis and such data would help devise effective policy measures and map out best employer practice to protect workers most vulnerable to potential abuse,” added Brinkley.

The report describes how existing official statistics on zero-hours contracts are unreliable, and provides a detailed analysis of the available data setting the wider context of such contracts.

In the report, Brinkley asserts that calls to ban zero-hours contracts for reasons of bad employment are misplaced, as is the view that they are a uniquely exploitative form of contract.

The analysis suggests that zero-hours workers are more likely to be permanent staff than in temporary employment. And while many would expect the contracts’ use to be more common among temporary low-paid workers, the reality is far more nuanced. The report illustrates how the picture varies from sector to sector. For instance, in low-paid work, their use is common in hospitality – where it is reported in nearly 20% of workplaces – but rare in retail, where it is 6%








Further information on XpertHR


How to employ an individual on a casual or zero-hours contract


What is the status of workers engaged on casual or zero-hours contracts?

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Rob Moss

Rob Moss is a business journalist with more than 25 years' experience. He has been editor of Personnel Today since 2010. He joined the publication in 2006 as online editor of the award-winning website. Rob specialises in labour market economics, gender diversity and family-friendly working. He has hosted hundreds of webinar and podcasts. Before writing about HR and employment he ran news and feature desks on publications serving the global optical and eyewear market, the UK electrical industry, and energy markets in Asia and the Middle East.

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