Exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts banned

[prepperpig]

Comes into force today.

[Skiptonlass]

Very good news for those in low pay insecure work! Exclusivity clauses for zero hours in that sector always seemed pretty shitty to me " yeah we'll be paying you minimum wage, no, no guaranteed hours...no, you can't take your labour elsewhere..." Basically holding you hostage. Fine if you're charging 300 quid an hour and can pick your clients but morally wrong if you're on low pay.

I'm assuming there's a workaround for contractors etc? Very common in my industry to be on quite a high paid zero hour contract as, say a project manager. You'd not be able to work for a competitor simultaneously so there must be some loopholery somewhere.

[prepperpig]

Contractors shouldn't be on employment contracts full stop. They should have consultancy agreements. If they're on an employment contract then they're going to have tax issues to deal with.

[worridmum]

thats one step I still think 0 hour contracts should be made illegal like their are in most of Europe (where else in the world does a government let companies avoid the vast majority of employment laws / rights) its so explotive and because it has been left alone now the vast majorty of minium wage jobs now have them as standard so it looks like they are here to stay sadly

[prh47bridge]

Zero hours contracts are NOT illegal in most of Europe. They and similar casual contracts are common across the EU although they appear to be most prevalent in the UK and Austria.

It is wildly untrue to say that the vast majority of minimum wage jobs are zero hours. The number appears to be going up but some of that rise is thought to be due to employees being more aware of the nature of their contract.

For some employees the flexibility offered by zero hours contracts is perfect. For others it is unsuitable.

Similarly for some employers where demand fluctuates hugely from day to day it would be next to impossible to run a business without such contracts.

The government should ensure that such contracts are not exploitative, that workers are not pushed into them against their will, that employers are not using them as a way of dodging taxes and so on but a complete ban is not the answer.

[PeaStalks]

If zero hours (ie casual) contracts were banned then DS1, DS2 and I would all lose our jobs, none of which are NMW.
The DC work as and when for local employer, it suits them all. DS1 is at uni and can pick up work when he is home. DS2 can stop work over exam periods like just now.
I have a wonderful job for the first time in my life but it's casual. Sometimes I work 3 days a week sometimes none, it suits my semi retired life.

[Skiptonlass]

I don't think zero hours contracts should be banned. They are very well suited to some workers.

What changed recently was the expansion of these contract types into jobs they are NOT suitable for. That's what's gone wrong.

[prepperpig]

Zero hours contracts are just causal contracts. Now that exclusivity clauses are banned there is nothing whatsoever wrong or exploitative about them. They've been used for decades by employers and if they didn't exist, the only people who would be benefit would be the temp agencies.

[Enidblytonrules]

How have people found these contracts are organised?

Do you give the employer your available dates for the next week/month and you are offered shifts within your available days?

Or are you just asked/told when to work randomly and do you have the option to refuse non-convenient shifts?

Am asking because a zero hour contract could be useful for myself because of the need to be available for hospital appts etc for elderly relatives.

Many thanks

[PeaStalks]

I work for the local authority. My manager will usually give me a list of dates for the next couple of months and I say which ones I can do. I am under no obligation to do a particular number. In addition to that she will ring me to see whether I can cover at short notice if they are busy or have someone ill.


DS2 works at a tourist attraction so it tends to be more in summer, mainly Sundays and Bank Holidays. Again he is asked to cover days a few weeks ahead but can be called in (if he's free) at 5 minutes notice.