A recent poll by the TUC has revealed that more than 8 in 10 workers on zero-hours contracts desire regular working hours.
The survey highlights the financial difficulties many zero-hours workers face, with three-quarters reporting trouble meeting living expenses due to insufficient work.
The findings expose the pressures on those employed under these contracts, including cancelled shifts, lack of compensation, and the need to work even when unwell. The TUC emphasises the importance of the government’s upcoming Employment Rights Bill in addressing these issues and improving employment standards.
Financial Challenges of Zero-Hours Contracts
The survey shows that 75% of zero-hours workers have experienced financial difficulties due to not being offered enough hours. Additionally, 66% of workers said they were actively seeking more work, yet employers frequently declined these requests. Despite the demand for more hours, 58% of requests for additional work were refused.
The lack of financial security is further exacerbated by unpredictable scheduling. Over half of the workers surveyed reported having their shifts cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, with 66% receiving no compensation for the lost hours.
One-Sided Flexibility and Strain on Workers
The TUC poll also exposes the “one-sided nature” of zero-hours contracts. While these contracts are often promoted as offering flexibility, many workers feel they bear the brunt of unpredictability. For instance, 76% of respondents admitted they felt compelled to work even when unwell, fearing they might lose out on future opportunities if they turned down shifts.
The lack of stable work patterns impacts workers’ ability to balance personal commitments. Half of the zero-hours contract workers polled struggled to manage childcare alongside their work, with this figure rising to 67% for mothers. Furthermore, 76% said they had missed family or social events due to last-minute work demands.
Impact on Carers and Students
The poll reveals that zero-hours contracts pose significant challenges for carers and students. Those with caregiving responsibilities were more likely to find it difficult to balance care and work. Among mothers, 35% found it hard to manage care commitments, and 38% of carers faced similar challenges.
Students on zero-hours contracts also face difficulties. Around 80% reported struggling to balance their studies with work obligations, further highlighting the pressures created by such contracts.
Even among those who chose zero-hours contracts for the flexibility to manage care or study, 61% said they would prefer guaranteed shifts, reflecting a desire for more stability in their working lives.
Call for Employment Rights Reform
The TUC says that the poll underlines the urgent need for the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, which aims to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts. This legislation could help improve employment standards by offering contracts that reflect regular working hours and ensuring compensation for cancelled shifts.
Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, noted the widespread dissatisfaction with zero-hours contracts. “Most people on zero-hours contracts would much rather have the security of guaranteed hours and to be able to plan their lives properly,” he said. “The so-called ‘flexibility’ these contracts offer is hugely one-sided.”
He added that the bill is crucial to creating a fairer employment landscape, preventing unscrupulous employers from undercutting responsible businesses and giving workers the stability they need.
Broader Support for Banning Zero-Hours Contracts
Support for banning zero-hours contracts extends beyond workers, with a previous TUC survey showing that 67% of voters across political lines are in favour of such a move. Many believe that providing all workers with stable contracts and compensating them for last-minute cancellations is essential to improving employment conditions in the UK.
Mubin Haq, Chief Executive of the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, highlighted the negative effects of zero-hours contracts on personal and financial security. “The major problem with zero-hours contracts is the insecurity they cause and the knock-on effects on people’s daily lives,” he said. He pointed out that only a third of workers receive compensation for lost income, underscoring the financial strain caused by such working arrangements.
Julian Richer, Founder of Richer Sounds and the Zero-Hours Justice campaign, also expressed support for banning exploitative contracts. “Most people work for good employers who pay decent wages and provide secure conditions,” he said. “But a minority of employers exploit the ability to hire people on zero-hours contracts. It is time to rid the economy of these contracts so that every worker who wants a secure contract can have one.”
