Government to consult on use of zero-hours contracts

“I have been examining closely the issue of zero-hour contracts over the last few months. We’ve been speaking to businesses, trade unions and other groups both about their downsides and their benefits.”

“It is clear that they are much more widely used than we had previously thought. It is also clear that there are abuses in the system, especially around the issue of exclusivity which some employers are demanding from workers on these contracts.”

Zero hours contracts have been widely criticised because of the lack of ‘mutuality’ between the employer and the employee, with employees having to be available for work on ‘standby’, but employers not having to provide any work.

Details of the consultation and an official launch date will be announced later this year.