Zero hour contracts have been causing a lot of anger recently. The government believes they have had a positive benefit on reducing the number of people on the dole, claiming that without zero hour working, the number of people on benefits would have reached 3million. Opposition claim they are exploitive and leave people no better off.

So what is a zero hour contract?



Where a normal contract would require you to work a set number of hours per week, a zero hour contract does not. You are contracted for no hours’ work per month. This benefits employers because it means that they are not obliged to give you work when there isn’t any. If you were employed full time in an office, even if there was nothing that needed doing, you would still have to honour your contract, and your employers would have to pay you for your time.

Why all the fuss?

Zero hour working can be easily exploited by employers. They have no obligation to provide you with work, meaning you are left in a very unsure position. It makes it difficult, or even impossible, to get another job on the side to support yourself, as you have no idea when or how often you will be required by your first employer.

People argue that zero hour working greatly inconveniences the employee in order to save the employer money.

Are there any upsides to zero hour working?

Zero hour working is perfect for people who have the room in their lives to be that flexible. They can also prove to be much more lucrative in terms of the hours of work you get than a fixed contract, because  if your employer becomes very busy they will need you to work more.

And just as your employer has the legal right to offer you no work, you have the legal right to turn down any work they do offer. Which in theory means you can work on your own terms.

Of course, while this is technically the law, it is unlikely many employers will look favourably on employees who only work on their terms and often turn down work when it is offered. Doing this regularly could result in you getting offered less and less work; your employer doesn’t have to offer you any, after all.

Should you take a zero hour contract?

It is estimated a million people in the UK are on zero hour contracts. They can give you flexibility, or they can constrict you further. If you know that you can survive with the financial uncertainty then maybe zero hour working wouldn’t be so bad. But if you are thinking of accepting one because you are desperately in need of employment, they may not help you out at all, and could make things more difficult.

Do you have the skills and desire to work in digital media? If so, contact Chrysalis Recruitment today to discuss your prospects.