Zero hours job offer - uneasy about accepting.

[Keepyourdistance000]

I have been offered a zero hours role paying national minimum wage. I was keen on this job when I first applied, now not sure.

The start and end times are variable and not known until a week in advance, and sometimes the end time is later than on the rota.

The interview was a telephone interview and some online questions. I have not met my potential new manager, only spoken on the phone. Nor have I seen my new work environment.

I feel uneasy about accepting and am thinking I should look out for something with set guaranteed hours, perhaps paying a bit more.

Any thoughts welcome.

What are you doing at the moment work wise? If you were going to give up a permanent contract for a zero hours I'd say you were mad.

I think zero hours contacts should be abolished.

If u are unemployed - take it and continue to look else where.

If you are already employed, I may be better off where I are for time being

Zero hour contracts are great if that's what you want. They are completely variable, that's the point, if you're a student or have a family they can be a great way to work as you don't need to really commit to it. If you want or need regular hours don't take a zero hours contract, it's not the right role for you.

Zero hour contracts are great if that's what you want. They are completely variable, that's the point, if you're a student or have a family they can be a great way to work as you don't need to really commit to it. If you want or need regular hours don't take a zero hours contract, it's not the right role for you.

I have a zero hours contract, often don't know I'm working until the week before or even the day before. Varying locations - it's a supply position so I fill in where I'm needed.

It works really well for me. I can say yes if I'm free & no if I'm not. No limit to holidays/sick days so I can always be around if needed. However, I am not the main earner so we don't rely on my money & my various bosses are all lovely & I enjoy the work.

So basically, your decision but zero hours is not necessarily a bad thing ime.

Just to throw a different experience into the mix than PP; yes, 0 hour contracts technically mean that while your employer doesn't have to give you hours, you don't have to accept. This can mean greater flexibility. However, this is only in theory. I've known of (and have experienced myself) 0 hour roles where you are expected to work when you are asked, no questions asked. Depending on its size (and I'm sure other factors), companies can get away with varying degrees of this sort of stuff. I say this as often in smaller companies there's no real leg to stand on. A friend on a 0 hour contract was once told she had to ask her employer before she could make ANY plans.

So it's all dependent on how much you need the job, your own flexibility and needs, and (though you may not be able to tell this straight away) how the employer handles it. Of course not all companies are like the ones I've mentioned but be wary.

Just reread your post and you seen uncertain on finding out shifts last minute and not knowing what time you'll finish, as well as changing shift patterns. Speaking from my own experience, this is very tough. It makes it very hard to make plans and form a stable routine.

Again all comes down to your lifestyle. If you can make this work and navigate life more 'last minute' and don't need a strict routine, then it may work. It may well be tough getting used to it and tough to sustain. I think there's actually been some research into 'shift workers' and the negative effects it has on their health and wellbeing.

Personally, as someone who needs and thrives off routine, a 0 hour contract was ok for me when I was a student with a busy and variable lifestyle but I couldn't sustain it.

I think it would be ok if you were living with parents or were not the main breadwinner.

It seems awfully insecure if you live on your own and can’t get guaranteed hours.

They are very handy for students or those who actively want very flexible working, not so if you need stability

It really depends on your situation and what you need from the job. Do you really need money right now?

The job market at the moment is saturated and lots of people are applying for most jobs that are advertised. It's competitive, so on one hand you are lucky to have had an offer.

You need to think about how likely it is that you can get this more stable, better-paid job with better hours, too.

Do you have a good amount of experience, are you a good prospective for employers? Do you think you've undersold yourself this time? Can you afford to duck out of this one and wait for something else to come along?

If you're not working at the moment then in most cases I would advise to start the job and be on the lookout for something better. It doesn't look good to have big gaps on your CV and an employer is much more likely to offer a job to someone who is currently working or has been recently.

I think it's going to be a no go. Fortunately I'm not the breadwinner and financially am ok, so can afford to wait for something with guaranteed hours, no last minute rotas and no late finishes.

The job market seems to be picking up now so there's quite a lot to apply for.

I am unemployed, not claiming and have voluntary charity work to keep me busy until something comes up.