Zero Hour Contracts

What are zero-hours contracts?

A zero-hours contract is where you are available for work but your hours of work are not specified under your employment contract.

A zero-hours contract requires you to be available for a certain number of hours a week, or when required, or both. You are not guaranteed a set number of hours.

Employees on zero-hours contracts are protected by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. However, this does not apply to casual work.

The laws on zero-hours contracts are set out in the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018. This Act strengthens your employment rights in several areas, including banning zero-hours contracts in most cases.

Ban on zero-hours contracts

Zero-hours contracts are banned in most cases but there are some exceptions.

Zero-hours contracts are allowed in the following circumstances:

• Work of a casual nature
• Work done in emergency situations
• Short-term relief to cover routine absences