Zero hours contract?

Denno666

My contract does not state that its zero hours, and in meetings it has been inferred that it isn't one. However, although it says in my contact that I'm to work 20 hours per week, it also says I only get paid for the hours I work. So if we finish an hour early because there's no more work, I don't get paid.
I'm a bit confused - is this really a zero hours contract that has been dressed up as something else, or is it classified as something else?

sangie595

It sounds like a variable hours contract. You get paid for the hours that you work. It seems the terms are very clear, from what you say. What is your confusion?

Denno666

I've never had anything other than a contract for set hours before, and have been told by other people that it sounded like zero hours. I've been worrying about being able to get a mortgage.

[Deleted User]

Are you 'salaried or hourly'?

When I worked for a national hotel group in the difficult times of 2008/09 I remember them deducting an hour of every single worker. Per day. Whether worked or not.
(nowadays I don't understand how they truly got away with it)
but it remains my longest job.

I think a lot of companies themselves get mixed up with zero hours, I can remember going for an interview at a vitamin supplement company in December 13 who mentioned zero hours but it never came to it. Really.

Denno666

Its hourly, I work the same days each week and alternate weekly between early and late shifts.

getmore4less

Zero hours never really existed companies could make up their own versions.

They still can but for it to be legally a zero hours contract, it can no longer have any exclusive clauses and you have to mutually agree when you will work, ie you have the right to turn down offers of work.

getmore4less

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/26/part/11/crossheading/exclusivity-in-zero-hours-contracts/enacted

A variable hours contract that has no minimum should be covered by the zero hours legislation.