Zero hours contracts
A zero hour contract is an employment contract which provides no guarantee of the number of hours an employee may be required to work. Other employment rights are available but the key issue of how much an employee may get paid in any period is entirely dependent upon the employer.
Such contracts can be good for both workers and employers who want flexibility in their working hours. But equally some employers have been exploiting the rules, preventing workers from taking jobs elsewhere through the use of exclusivity clauses.
In July 2014, Vince Cable, Business Secretary, announced plans to ban these clauses, giving individuals on zero hours contracts the choice to find other work, should they want to.
Cable said: “Zero hours contracts have a place in today’s labour market. They offer valuable flexible working opportunities for students, older people and other people looking to top up their income and find work that suits their personal circumstances.
But it has become clear that some unscrupulous employers abuse the flexibility that these contracts offer to the detriment of their workers. Today, we are legislating to clamp down on abuses to ensure people get a fair deal.
Last December, I launched a consultation into this issue. Following overwhelming evidence, we are now banning the use of exclusivity in zero hours contracts and committing to increase the availability of information on these contracts. We will also work with unions and businesses to develop a best practice code of conduct aimed at employers who wish to use zero hours contracts as part of their workforce.”
This article was written by --Martinc 20:12, 29 July 2014 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Construction industry scheme.
- Intermediaries legislation.
- Out of hours working.
- Payroll companies
- Umbrella companies.
- What hours are construction sites allowed to operate?
- Working day.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.