Advice regarding zero hour contracts.

getmore4less

The law was changed to protect employees and workers from this sort on employer nonsense.

Saying you can't change your availability would fall into the change so you can ignore that part of the contract.

I believe it would be covered by 3b
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/26/part/11/crossheading/exclusivity-in-zero-hours-contracts/enacted

Keep them updated with your availability and see what happens to the offers of work.


The changes to the law did not go far enough so mutually accepted periods of work became contractual so both sides can change their minds.

Serendipitious

Most of the bigger companies will have a policy that covers long-term 'availability change' - often this requires that the worker gives 4 weeks written notice of his/her change in availability going forward, this is simply to ensure that his/her allocated calls can be covered in plenty of time and it also allows 4 weeks for the company to find an ongoing replacement.

If you're having difficulty, it might be best to go in and ask to completely revise your availability.

One-off requirements such as time off for a night out are more a matter of goodwill but even so this depends entirely on whether any cover is available, eg if it's peak holiday time it may be more difficult to accommodate you. Have you thought whether you can offer anything as a swap - if you want a specific Tuesday night off as a one-off but can offer Saturday instead for that week, they might be very happy indeed.

scd3scd4

Serendipitious wrote: »

Most of the bigger companies will have a policy that covers long-term 'availability change' - often this requires that the worker gives 4 weeks written notice of his/her change in availability going forward, this is simply to ensure that his/her allocated calls can be covered in plenty of time and it also allows 4 weeks for the company to find an ongoing replacement.

If you're having difficulty, it might be best to go in and ask to completely revise your availability.

One-off requirements such as time off for a night out are more a matter of goodwill but even so this depends entirely on whether any cover is available, eg if it's peak holiday time it may be more difficult to accommodate you. Have you thought whether you can offer anything as a swap - if you want a specific Tuesday night off as a one-off but can offer Saturday instead for that week, they might be very happy indeed.

Don't agree. If they are not committing the shifts every week to you guarantied. Then I don't see how you are expected to be available in case they need you. Are people expected to sit by the phone.


Goodwill???.............from a zero contract. Man we ask to be treated bad with this mind set.


Are they giving 4 weeks notice when they drop shifts, over-book or change their mind? I bet not.


I do agree however with just having an honest chap in person if possible or on the phone and maybe trying a compromise.

stuartJo1989

Chucky1234 wrote: »

Explain how my circumstances changing is a douche move? This wasn't something I could predict and I made them aware of this as soon as possible.

They accommodated your other job by giving you hours to fit around your job. Then, only 6 weeks later, you are again modifying those restricted hours and throwing a spanner in their ability to plan for cover on Weds night (maybe they hired you because they lacked cover on this day?).

That's a bit of a douche move, irrespective of whether you have a legitimate reason or not (talk of forcing them to give you a Tuesday off would not endear you to anyone either). It is also probably why they are dragging their heels instead of saying "yes, sure, no problem. We'll let you have weds night off".

As for 'lots of taking but not much giving' I disagree. I have helped them out by covering shifts last minute on my weekend off, travelling longer distances than required in my contract amongst other things, so don't be so judgemental.

Fair enough! Although I must point out that you'll get taxed on that 2nd job and you seem quite money-orientated (2 jobs), and you cannot work during weekday hours (Day). Sooo I suspect that you have been pretty keen to work those last minute weekend shifts and it hasn't been as much of a favour to them as you suggest....

Don't be so defensive about my judgement on the situation. The bottom line is that you've got to do what you've got to do. If you need a Weds night off then you need to tell them, like you did. Either they will cave and give in, or they will find someone else. There's really not much more to it, but you have to be prepared for the possibility that you'll be out of the job very soon...

May also help to be a bit more diplomatic in situations like this....

BorisThomson

ohreally wrote: »

Perhaps the employer simply wants their cake and to be eating it. You may find in future that you get zero hours offered.

But in this case the worker does too! If you state your availability and then within six weeks try to change this twice the employer has every right to be annoyed.

Chucky1234, this type of work is not going to work out for you, at least not unless you are entirely straight about your availability from the beginning. There is an imbalance of power in these situations, but as the law stands you either accept it or go elsewhere.

Chucky1234

stuartJo1989 wrote: »

They accommodated your other job by giving you hours to fit around your job. Then, only 6 weeks later, you are again modifying those restricted hours and throwing a spanner in their ability to plan for cover on Weds night (maybe they hired you because they lacked cover on this day?).

That isn't the case. They have a large pool of employees to pick from - too many for all the work available according to others. There is a high staff turnover there - I'm guessing due to situations similar to mine - which looks likely why I was employed.

stuartJo1989 wrote: »

That's a bit of a douche move, irrespective of whether you have a legitimate reason or not (talk of forcing them to give you a Tuesday off would not endear you to anyone either). It is also probably why they are dragging their heels instead of saying "yes, sure, no problem. We'll let you have weds night off".

But is that not what a zero hour contract is? I'm not messing around and cancelling shifts last minute. Zero hour contracts are popular amongst parents with younger children - who may need time off due to childcare, and students. Both of these would have to change their availability, is that a 'douche' move? If they didn't want people changing their availability, why not give people set hours?

stuartJo1989 wrote: »

Fair enough! Although I must point out that you'll get taxed on that 2nd job and you seem quite money-orientated (2 jobs), and you cannot work during weekday hours (Day). Sooo I suspect that you have been pretty keen to work those last minute weekend shifts and it hasn't been as much of a favour to them as you suggest....

I'm fully aware of my tax affairs - this isn't the point of my post.

Like I said I appreciate all thoughts but please stop assuming things and judging.

Guest101

Look, zero hours contracts are essentially the bottom of the barrel.


Nothing you've posted is surprising, and simply put - you are expendable. You have no leverage. So if you don't play ball, you'll be asked to leave the field.


Whether people agree or disagree with your moral stand point isn't relevant.

Chucky1234

Guest101 wrote: »

Look, zero hours contracts are essentially the bottom of the barrel.


Nothing you've posted is surprising, and simply put - you are expendable. You have no leverage. So if you don't play ball, you'll be asked to leave the field.


Whether people agree or disagree with your moral stand point isn't relevant.

I appreciate your thoughts. I guess I am in a slightly better position than somebody relying on this for their main income then.

The general consensus seems to be what I am doing is fine, but the employer will likely punish me by not giving me anymore work and there is nothing I can do about it.

I will just continue with my stance and if I get no work at all coming my way then so be it, I'll find another job. If they turn out to be a little bit more reasonable then happy days.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

getmore4less

If the employer needs committed hours they should be offering committed hours in the contract.

Changing availability is part of the deal with zero hours, if employers don't like it they need to use different contracts.

Reality is in many cases the places can't get enough workers so might throw the toys out of the pram for a while but end up offering hours anyway.

For people with multiple zero hours first to offer gets the worker.

Putting long availability clauses would be against the regulations as to accept other work you would have to ask the other employer first which is specifically included in the regulations as a contractual term you can ignore.

getmore4less

The great thing with multiple jobs is you get taxed less for the same earning in just one job.