Zero hour contract?

[Marmaladedandelions]

Can anyone help?

I am just wondering if a zero hour contract works both ways - can I say my availability for a period of time is zero if needs be?

I am the sole carer to DCs so need to be available if they are ill.

Thanks :)

Depends on your employer. My contract is like that.

So in theory can they insist I work, but they are under no obligation to give me work? thanks

Normally a zero hour contract gives no commitment either way. They don't have to offer you work and you don't have to accept any work they do offer. However it depends on the wording of your contract. If you are unclear as to what it means post the relevant clauses and you will receive advice.

Thank you, but I haven't got the job yet it's one I am thinking of going for. I need flexibility so thought zero hours might suit.

Depends on the employer. Everyone at my dc's work love them - they can say when they are / aren't available, so, in effect, get a lot more holiday than most people, which suits so many people.
I've read on here about employers abusing them though - I suppose like all schemes, there's the idea behind them and then the way different people use them.

The worst abuse - insisting that employees don't work for anyone else - has been banned by the government. Which isn't to say there aren't other abuses. But research suggests that people on zero hours contracts are marginally happier than people on full time contracts.

If you need flexibility a zero hours contract is probably just what you need. Just make sure you understand the contract before you sign it.

Depends on the employer, if I can't do the hours I don't.

I think some companies can pressure you to be avabable for set hours, obviously this would depend on sector and if you are covering at short notice or not. But I have heard if you keep saying no on a regular basis to offered hours you will find ourselves further and further down the list.

You can fill in your availability, I think, which is good.

We had a number of staff on zero hours when I worked in retail

In theory it worked both ways but in reality you have a list of times you were available, if you were then offered a shift during those hours and you said no for whatever reason, you went right to the bottom of the pile when the next shifts were offered

Thanks 18, that makes sense :)

Did they give you a contract?

A true zero hours contract should work both ways and you can turn down shifts.

I had a clause that said they had no obligation to give me work, but I HAD to accept hours offered.

That seems unfair Dunkling :(