Zero hour deal has benefits
ZERO hours contracts do not deserve their poor reputation as an unreliable source of work, according to new research.
A survey by law firm Bond Dickinson found almost half of companies (46 per cent) gave employees over a week’s notice before their hours were altered, with just 12 per cent giving less than 48 hours notice of changes.
Just one in 10 respondents (11 per cent) used exclusivity clauses, prohibiting workers from seeking work elsewhere. Meanwhile 67 per cent said they would support government restriction of such clauses.
Firms said they were open about the rules, with 97 per cent saying they explained the implications of the zero hours contract – a contract with no minimum working hours – to applicants.
However, 83 per cent of companies said they would be in favour of extra government guidance on the subject.
Graham Richardson, of Bond Dickinson, said: “Our research highlights the fact employers and workers value the flexibility zero hours contracts provide.”