Zero Hours Contracts Advice

Daisymoocow

Could someone explain to me what this means to the employee please? I work for a company on a zero hours contract, I get my rota on a weekly basis and this changes every week. Ie. I get my rota on a friday for the hours I am doing the following week. Unfortunately, I am unable to do one of the shifts I have been put down for due to childcare arrangements and I thought that as I was on a zero hours contract, I would simply ring up at the earliest opportunity and explain that I am unable to do it... i was under the impression that on a zero hours contract I was not liable to work for any hours/shifts, likewise the company was not liable to provide me with any hours shifts....

However, I have been told that If I am unable to work these shifts, then I HAVE to take them as annual leave? I dont want to take them as annual leave ( I dont have enough accrused) i just simply want to take them unpaid

Where do I stand please?

Jarndyce

Daisymoocow wrote: »

Could someone explain to me what this means to the employee please? I work for a company on a zero hours contract, I get my rota on a weekly basis and this changes every week. Ie. I get my rota on a friday for the hours I am doing the following week. Unfortunately, I am unable to do one of the shifts I have been put down for due to childcare arrangements and I thought that as I was on a zero hours contract, I would simply ring up at the earliest opportunity and explain that I am unable to do it... i was under the impression that on a zero hours contract I was not liable to work for any hours/shifts, likewise the company was not liable to provide me with any hours shifts....

However, I have been told that If I am unable to work these shifts, then I HAVE to take them as annual leave? I dont want to take them as annual leave ( I dont have enough accrused) i just simply want to take them unpaid

Where do I stand please?

You will need to check the precise terms of your contract in this area. Just because you know it as a zero hours contract does not necessarily mean that we can assume that there are any standard terms in it.

You need to check whether your contract allows you to turn down shifts offered, and if so what the employer can do in such circumstances.

Daisymoocow

Well - despite asking on several occassions, since starting the job in June, I have yet to receive any contract at all.....

vintagebrighton

Daisymoocow wrote: »

Well - despite asking on several occassions, since starting the job in June, I have yet to receive any contract at all.....

That in itself is illegal.......... you're supposed to get a written contract within 8 weeks of starting work. Have you asked around where you work? Other workers might know more.

Jarndyce

vintagebrighton wrote: »

That in itself is illegal.......... you're supposed to get a written contract within 8 weeks of starting work. Have you asked around where you work? Other workers might know more.

Not quite - you are entitled to a written statement of your principle terms and conditions, not a complete contract.

Not sure why other workers would know what is in the OP's contract?

This is a tricky one - zero hours contracts are awful - they can legitimately give you no further work if you rock the boat so effectively dismiss you. And you have only been there a few months so they can dismiss you anyway for no reason. You need to ask as piolitely as possible for a copy of your contract and/or the rules regarding shifts you can't do, domestic emergencies etc.

kingfisherblue

My daughter is on a zero hours contract for an agency. She receives her rota on Saturday morning for the following week. Although she can turn down work, she cannot turn down a 'regular' shift without first clearing it with the office. So for example, she has a morning shift on schooldays, to get a disabled child ready for school. She has accepted this as a regular shift and cannot just refuse it one week. This is because the child needs regularity and a carer who is familiar with him and his needs, as well as because it can be difficult to get replacement cover at the last minute.

Having said that, if there is something that prevents her working certain hours, she lets her office know in advance so that they do not put her down for a shift at that time. Usually she is available to work Wednesdays, but this week, she has requested no shifts that finish after 2.30pm. This is because my son has surgery that day, and my daughter needs to be at home for when my youngest son gets in from school - he is too young to let himself in and be alone for what could otherwise be several hours. The agency have honoured this request, due to the circumstances, and they have not taken it as if she is rocking the boat, as they have phoned her today for additional shifts for other days.

If there are days that you cannot work due to childcare, I would be clear about them before you receive your rota. that way, it gives the agency a chance to offer the shifts to other workers and it means that you don't get a reputation for wanting to turn down work at the last minute.