An interim report published by the Scottish Affairs Parliamentary Committee has found there is much to be done to protect people on zero hours contracts in Scotland. Although it is recognised that zero hours contracts and other forms of casual labour can benefit workers and employers, the Committee finds that in the majority of cases zero hours contracts need not, and should not, be used at all.
The Committee calls for a change in culture in order to reverse an increase in the use of casual labour across the UK. In particular, it recommends that:
- Zero hours contracts must only be used where the employer can objectively justify it;
- The Government must do more to protect workers who wish to challenge unfair, unsafe or unlawful conditions of employment;
- Workers should be told from the outset of their employment what type of contract they are on and a written contract setting out the terms and conditions must follow within two months;
- There should be a minimum notice period of work and workers should not be punished for turning down offers of work made within that period;
- Where workers arrive for work but find none available then the employer should compensate them for the inconvenience;
- Travel time between appointments should be paid and pay for zero hours workers should accurately reflect the number of hours that are worked to fulfil contracted duties;
- An employer-led Code of Practice is unlikely to help workers who are exploited – in fact it may serve to embed a form of employment that in most circumstances is hard to justify;
- If a Code is produced it should only be as a stepping stone to, or following, legislative change aimed at reducing the use of zero hours contracts and ensuring workers receive the income, rights and protections to which they are entitled.
The report was published to help contribute to the UK government's consultation on zero hours contracts, which closed last month. Government proposals following an analysis of the feedback received can be expected within the coming months.
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