Think tank calls for reform of zero hours contracts

The Resolution Foundation think tank has called for workers on a zero-hours contract to be given a legal right to a fixed-hours contract after 12 months. The think tank’s report has also called for: a ban on ‘exclusivity clauses’ in zero-hours contracts, to stop employers preventing people on them from working elsewhere; workers on zero-hours contracts having the right to receive a clear statement on their terms of employment and greater enforcement from the Government to ensure that these workers’ rights are more strongly protected.

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, led by Business Secretary Vince Cable, is currently reviewing the growing use of zero-hours contracts in the UK, with the Labour Party having promised to give such employees greater contractual protections.