Zero hour contracts.

Wonder how many small firms will go down the pan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24012368

Re: Zero hour contracts.

I think the point was -flexibility yes-exploitation No.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

Do take your point but its only 3 big firms who exploit and need to be shamed who insist that people on these contracts do not do work for any one else.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

I have worked on zero hours contracts (also called 'bank' working in some quarters) .

They were invaluable to me enabling me to pick and choose the hours I worked to fit in with my two part time set hours contracts and journeys to visit and help care for my Father. They also allowed me to as a widow to provide for my son and to help fund him through university.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

They are fine for some people and absolute hell for others. I don't know how they can legislate for that to make it possible for everyone to get what they need.

One thing puzzles me though now we all have to work so many years to get a pension, how does that work with these contracts ? from what I see people on them rarely pay tax let alone NI so they will be unable to access many benefits including pensions, no sick pay and if they do 16 hours a week (I believe) they get working tax credit ! I can't see how as a country we can afford that.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

I have no problem with a min max contract with an 8 hour leeway but how can people live on zero hours?

It might work if you are not the main income earner or if its a suppliment to benefits but if it is your main income or you are not entitled to benefits for one reason or another then its impossible.

The problem is bills are not zero hour so earning 30 hours one week and nothing the next isnt an option.
Our local job center points out all the vacancies they have but many of them are zero hour and that is just a nightmare for most people.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

How can it be right for an employer to say "We have no work for you but you can't work for anyone else in case we need you".

Re: Zero hour contracts.

No, that doesn't seem right at all! I have no idea how anyone on a zero hours contract can plan any kind of future - house buying/renting, marriage, etc.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

They can't, which is why they are only suitable for some people, Meg obviously made it work for her but that is no reason to assume it can work for everyone.

Re: Zero hour contracts.

My only experience of zero hours was as a school boy; turn up at 07.30 and if there is a field to be lifted get in the van,no van no work.

Back then I had my first taste of Italian,today my Polish would be passable