Not getting contracted hours

[Usernamerunningout]

My 18 year old ds has a part time job in the local pub.

His contract is for 8 hours a week.

Since October he has been roated on between 3 and 6 hours a week despite repeatedly requesting extra shifts.

In addition if the pub is quiet they will send him home after an hour so some weeks he has only been paid an hour.

Where does he stand having a contract that states he'll work 8 hours a week?

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

If he's only been working there since october they can let him go with probably a week's notice without giving a reason with no breach of employment law. If he complains then they probably will.

Small businesses can't afford to pay staff to wait around, if the customers aren't there and they only need him for 3 hours then that's it.

Does his contract require him to be available for every evening just in case they need him? He needs to be looking for another job where he's more in demand.

He's been there since March, but since October his hours have been reduced.

This (he believes) is due to two full time staff wanting overtime and taking on extra shifts.

They (the full time staff) are also allowed to stay when the pub is quiet and he is sent home.

His contract requires him to be available for weekends (Friday-Sunday).

You have very little employment rights till you've been employed 2 years. Naturally the ft staff are getting first dibs on overtime - it's Christmas and everyone wants a bit more cash if they can get it.

Your ds cannot force them to want or need him more. He should find somewhere where he is needed.

I understand first dibs on overtime, but he's not even getting his non overtime hours.

What's the point of having a contract that states x number of hours, as opposed to a 0 hour contract?

Job hunting in the new year it is then.