Most workers unaware of zero-hour contract rights

Three in five workers (61%) don’t know the rights of someone on a zero-hours contract, a new survey has revealed.

Acas – an independent public body that advises employers and employees on improving workplace relationships – commissioned the survey ahead of the introduction of a new law intended to give zero-hours contract workers the right to ask for more predictability around their working pattern.

The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act is expected to come into force in autumn next year.

What is a zero-hours contract?

If you’re on zero-hours contract it usually means your employer doesn’t have to give you any minimum working hours and you don’t have to accept any work that’s offered.

Rights of someone on a zero-hours contract

Although you may not have as many rights as workers on other contracts, if you're on a zero-hours contract, you still currently have the right to:

• be paid national minimum wage and national living wage
• paid holiday
• rest breaks
• receive payslips
• protection from discrimination

New law on predictable work patterns

Acas is hoping that the new law around predictable work patterns will help ensure zero-hours contracts are used responsibly and fairly.

Its chief executive, Susan Clews, said:

“We are currently consulting on a new code of practice to help businesses and workers understand the new law and provide good practice around requests for a predictable working pattern.”