Zero hours contract, but no shifts for two weeks........

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Most zero contracts do not state that.

They don't need to as the employer can choose not to offer any work for whatever whim takes their fancy.

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

They don't need to as the employer can choose not to offer any work for whatever whim takes their fancy.

As freely as the employee can refuse the work offered for whatever whim takes their fancy.

jacques_chirac

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

As freely as the employee can refuse the work offered for whatever whim takes their fancy.

This is what some on this thread seem to be missing. A nil hours contract works for both parties. Historically it appealed to students and people with children, so they could work around their other responsibilities. However the employment market means people are looking at these jobs as a permanent/ full time role, and that is not what they are intended to be.

Galaxy1987

zero hour contracts are just another name for sessional/bank/relief workers. It just sounds fancy.

These type of contracts have been around for many years and have worked well, people are just not happy the same due to the tightening of everyone belt.

An employer cannot (unreasonably) stop you from working elsewhere. However you just might not get any work. I have worked as and managed these types of workers for years and over many different companies/managers etc and have never had it held against me when I cant work a shift. In fact although I have a FT post I am sessional elsewhere and have just been asked to do a shift but I cant, will this stop me getting more, no because in the end they are the ones who need the staff too.

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

As freely as the employee can refuse the work offered for whatever whim takes their fancy.

I think this is a little flippant. It ignores the fact that most people on these contracts can't afford to refuse ANY work as they are desperate for the income. The employment relationship is very one sided, in the employer's favour.

MisterMan_2

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Explain how they are immoral?

It's contemporary slavery. Employees are at the whim of their employer to take shifts at inconvenience to themselves -e.g unable to plan ahead due to shift irregularity. Lack of sick pay? Holidays (yes they get holiday pay, but with the uncertainty of the work, are people going to book holidays if it means losing payed work (I know of people on these contracts who simply don't have holidays for that reason)? Whilst the tax payer ends up subsidising the business owners wage bill when there's no work/low number of hours. These contracts are fine for students or people with a second job, but increasingly companies are using for people who really require full-time contracts.

Whilst it's easy to say "get another job then", it's myopic to think things are that simple.

Takeaway_Addict

MisterMan wrote: »

It's contemporary slavery. Employees are at the whim of their employer to take shifts at inconvenience to themselves -e.g unable to plan ahead due to shift irregularity. Lack of sick pay? Holidays (yes they get holiday pay, but with the uncertainty of the work, are people going to book holidays if it means losing payed work (I know of people on these contracts who simply don't have holidays for that reason)? Whilst the tax payer ends up subsidising the business owners wage bill when there's no work/low number of hours. These contracts are fine for students or people with a second job, but increasingly companies are using for people who really require full-time contracts.

Whilst it's easy to say "get another job then", it's myopic to think things are that simple.

Its the employees fault if they stay on a zero hour contract too long, there are jobs out there with fixed hours if they so wish but it may not be in the area they want.

Not saying its easy but it can be done.

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Its the employees fault if they stay on a zero hour contract too long, there are jobs out there with fixed hours if they so wish but it may not be in the area they want.

Not saying its easy but it can be done.

Haha this is so far out of touch with reality as to be deluded!!

There are very few jobs available that offer good regular hours. And full time jobs are virtually non existent in non skilled roles.

The reality for many these days is begging for hours at minimum wage and a constant reliance on state benefits to make the shortfall up to a very basic standard of living.

MisterMan_2

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Its the employees fault if they stay on a zero hour contract too long, there are jobs out there with fixed hours if they so wish but it may not be in the area they want.

Not saying its easy but it can be done.

I think it's the undesirable jobs that are offering these contracts, rather than people using it to hold onto their dream job as a CEO, surgeon, solicitor etc...

One of the people I know on one of these contracts is currently employed as a cleaner, and I imagine most of the people employed by Sports Direct on a zero hours contract probably would rather something better than retail.

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

Haha this is so far out of touch with reality as to be deluded!!

There are very few jobs available that offer good regular hours. And full time jobs are virtually non existent in non skilled roles.

The reality for many these days is begging for hours at minimum wage and a constant reliance on state benefits to make the shortfall up to a very basic standard of living.

Not deluded in the slightest, work a zero hour contract for the work you can get and then move onto a full time contract when possible. Plenty of people will have done it...does that make them deluded for trying and succeeding?