Number on zero hour contracts doubles in a year

Generali

In many ways, the rise of the zero hours contract shows one of the strengths of the UK economy vs much of Europe.

In bad times people can still get work, even if the work is undesirable. Similarly, in bad times companies can hire in a low risk way.

In good times companies want to hang on to decent staff and employees can say, "Testicles to ya. You can stick your job up yer Aris" (or whatever it is that the youth say nowadays) and more people have good jobs.

The alternative, unfortunately, isn't everyone having a great well paid job, it's mass unemployment all the time rather than just in bad times.

Thrugelmir

Generali wrote: »

In many ways, the rise of the zero hours contract shows one of the strengths of the UK economy vs much of Europe.

Particularly the French with their rigid 37 work week. Which makes much of French industry, particularly manufacturing, uncompetitive.

Generali

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Particularly the French with their rigid 37 work week. Which makes much of French industry, particularly manufacturing, uncompetitive.

I know a few young French women pretty well (yeah I know, ha ha) and they have a torrid time trying to find work even with great qualifications, good English (I did teach them proper good) an an excellent reference too.

N1AK

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Really don't like this personally. Feels like companies are really taking advantage, and with the near doubling in a single year of zero hour contracts, that only add's to my thoughts that companies are taking advantage of the tough climate for workers.

You're not alone Graham. I'm definitely conflicted on them. They do have economic benefits such as partial employment, cost control etc but seem a little too close to being an abusive work practice to me.

Zero hour contracts can be comparatively ok, being effectively like running your own internal temp/contract agency; however I do think that certain practices such as requiring people to wait at specified locations to see if work is available, very low utilisation rates etc may need controls.

ukcarper

Generali wrote: »

In many ways, the rise of the zero hours contract shows one of the strengths of the UK economy vs much of Europe.

In bad times people can still get work, even if the work is undesirable. Similarly, in bad times companies can hire in a low risk way.

In good times companies want to hang on to decent staff and employees can say, "Testicles to ya. You can stick your job up yer Aris" (or whatever it is that the youth say nowadays) and more people have good jobs.

The alternative, unfortunately, isn't everyone having a great well paid job, it's mass unemployment all the time rather than just in bad times.

Is 4hrs at NWM better than being unemployed especially when the promise of extra work or fixed hours never materialise. These jobs might be OK for people looking for a bit of money but a lot of people do them as there is no alternative.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

ukcarper wrote: »

These jobs might be OK for people looking for a bit of money but a lot of people do them as there is no alternative.

Take an example of a restaurant or bar close to a large University.

Most of their staff will be on zero hour contracts, as the business will need to flex it's labour costs with some large swings in demand. They may have 25 staff on a Monday night in Freshers week, but only 5 staff on a Monday night in August.

Likewise a seasonal hotel in a seaside town. They may have 20 or 30 staff on between March and October, and again in December, but only 5 or 10 on during November, January and February.

Some businesses have large differences in their staffing needs at different times of the month, season, or year. For them, zero hours contracts are absolutely necessary, and indeed if they had to carry a full staffing load year round they'd go out of business.

As with anything in life, there will be occasional abuses, but in general they're a good thing and lead to more people working than otherwise would be the case.

Graham_Devon

N1AK wrote: »

You're not alone Graham. I'm definitely conflicted on them. They do have economic benefits such as partial employment, cost control etc but seem a little too close to being an abusive work practice to me.

Zero hour contracts can be comparatively ok, being effectively like running your own internal temp/contract agency; however I do think that certain practices such as requiring people to wait at specified locations to see if work is available, very low utilisation rates etc may need controls.

Yup. You can look at it from two ways, which I have tried to do above with the second courier job.

If you are just doing it for extra money as you have spare time, then fair enough.

Hoever, this isn't the case in the majority it seems. There appears to be little in the way of statistics on this, but any that there are seem to show that employers are taking advantage.

We've talked about this before and these jobs were written off as seasonal, which is fine, but with the rapid growth that doesn't really apply anymore. And in any case, seasonal jobs have always existed, so this is absolutely no excuse.

McDonalds are using them. I believe Asda are now using them, ringing people to come in as and when required dependant on store footfall.

It seems very good for the employer. But for someone trying to earn a crust, seems very little in it for them.

Even companies like G4S are using them to provide security and oversee people in custody when the police are busy.

Even care staff...which is a bit scary....

One provider told me there are very real consequences "the turnover of staff is mindblowing" with the average worker moving on after only three months'.

They said although they would love to have full time staff, if they did, "We would be bankrupt in very quick time... alas...virtually all domiciliary care companies employ zero hour carers for the same reasons as ourselves."

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Generali wrote: »

In many ways, the rise of the zero hours contract shows one of the strengths of the UK economy vs much of Europe.

In bad times people can still get work, even if the work is undesirable. Similarly, in bad times companies can hire in a low risk way.

Exactly right.

The alternative, unfortunately, isn't everyone having a great well paid job, it's mass unemployment all the time rather than just in bad times.

Indeed.

Labour flexibility is an overwhelmingly good thing, and without it we'd just have less people working, not more.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Even care staff...which is a bit scary....

They said although they would love to have full time staff, if they did, "We would be bankrupt in very quick time."

So what's the alternative?

Companies going bankrupt.

How does that help more people work longer hours?

ILW

Not that great if you have rent or a mortgage to pay.