Plans to change the rights of workers on zero hours contracts are on the horizon after the government agreed to support the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill.
The move comes after a review found many workers on zero hours contracts experience ‘one-sided flexibility’, left waiting, unable to get on with their lives in case of being called up at the last minute for a shift. With a more predictable working pattern, workers will have a guarantee of when they are required to work, with hours that work for them.
If a worker’s existing working pattern lacks certainty in terms of the hours they work, the times they work or if it is a fixed term contract for less than 12 months, they will be able to make a formal application to change their working pattern to make it more predictable.
Labour Markets Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:”Hard working staff on zero hours contracts across the country put their lives on hold to make themselves readily available for shifts that may never actually come.
“Employers having one-sided flexibility over their staff is unfair and unreasonable. This Bill will ensure workers can request more predictable working patterns where they want them, so they can get on with their daily lives.”
Blackpool South MP Scott Benton, who has brought the bill forward, said: “A significant number of my constituents experience unpredictable work. Being able to ask their employers to consider requests for a more predictable working pattern such as working on set days, or for a permanent contract, will help them to work more predictable hours and provide more reliably for their families in some cases, and help with their work-life balance in other situations.”
This Bill gives people a right to ask their employers to consider requests and will be welcomed by thousands of people.
Subject to parliamentary approval, all workers and employees will have this new right once it comes into force. However, they must first have worked for their employer a set period before they make their application. This period will be set out in regulations and is expected to be 26 weeks. Given the proposals aim to support those with unpredictable contracts, workers will not have had to have worked continuously during that period.
Employers do have the option to refuse a request for a more predictable working pattern on specific grounds, such as the burden of additional costs to make changes, or there being insufficient work at times when the employee proposes to work. Workers will be able to make up to 2 requests a year.
