Zero hour contracts

Blackadder V · 15/10/10 - 16:27

I have seen a job I am interested in but it has a zero hour contract. Has anyone worked one of these and how did it work out?

Obviously you have the problem that you don't know when you are working but are you permanently on call and obligated to go in when they say.

Could they say ring you at 7:00am on a day you didn't think you are working and say you have to come in and because you are zero hour you have no choice?

The reason I am asking is because I want to do volunteer work in a school alongside it for a day or two a week and I will of course tell them but I don't want them ringing me up on a day they know I am in school and lay the "you have to come in so you have no choice" line on me.

Fieldfare · 15/10/10 - 16:33

I think it depends on the sort of work you do and the attitude of the company. We have some "zero hours" staff at my work but it is a highly specialised field and we treat them nice. If they're not available at a particular time we don't ask why and it doesn't count against them in any way.

MarzBar85 · 15/10/10 - 17:06

When I was in retail, a couple of colleagues were on zero hour contracts during the Summer and Christmas months.

They got no holiday pay, and the shifts that noone else could do. Their shifts were always rota'd, and if we needed an extra body in, the phone book came out and whoever wasn't working was asked if they were available for work.

Zero hours means that you are not contracted to work any hours, nor are you obliged to work hours.

[Deleted User] · 15/10/10 - 17:37

MarzBar85 wrote: »

They got no holiday pay, and the shifts that noone else could do. Their shifts were always rota'd, and if we needed an extra body in, the phone book came out and whoever wasn't working was asked if they were available for work.

Zero hours means that you are not contracted to work any hours, nor are you obliged to work hours.

This. I work a zero hours contract, only 6 hours a week as a second job at the moment.

I have 'permanent' shifts but they can cancel if there isn't any work. Saying that they're usually very good (I've worked there a long time) so I guess it depends on your employer really.

The one thing to remember is that you don't get sick pay- so if you're sick= no pay!

Joel's dad · 15/10/10 - 17:40

I work for my hospital bank, and work when I want as often as I like, but when there are no shifts I have nothing.

I get holiday pay and sick pay though.

Can you afford to have no work?

Blackadder V · 15/10/10 - 19:01

Thanks for the replies, it seems you are not at the employers beck and call with a zero hour contract. I can't afford to have no work and I would hope to get as many shifts as I could but I want to be sure that I can say no to a shift if I wanted to.

twingle · 15/10/10 - 19:09

Of course you can say no to a shift if you want to but I wouldn't make a habit of it as they will eventually stop asking you first or just use you when all other avenues are explored. You are entitled to holiday pay too but I am not sure if it is still legal to just factor that into your hourly pay as some companies used to. It is a while since I dealt with zero hour workers.

Joel's dad · 15/10/10 - 19:21

twingle wrote: »

Of course you can say no to a shift if you want to but I wouldn't make a habit of it as they will eventually stop asking you first or just use you when all other avenues are explored. You are entitled to holiday pay too but I am not sure if it is still legal to just factor that into your hourly pay as some companies used to. It is a while since I dealt with zero hour workers.

Yes I have heard you shouldn't say no to work as they will not ask you unless all other avenues have been exhausted.

I'm in a fortunate position of being needed more than I need..

Its a risk but sometimes risks pay off

Hey there!

Quick Links

Zero hour contracts

Comments