Cautious optimism over fixed hours for zero-hours contracts workers
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) chief executive Kate Nicholls said it was important “such arrangements are not misused”, following the review, which is expected to be published in the summer, is believed to include the fixed hours recommendation.
“In many cases, flexible working is employee-driven, so this suggests that zero-hours contracts do have a positive role to play.
“Any provision that gives employees a right to request guaranteed hours would be welcome as long as it remains a request,” Nicholls added.
Following JDW’s lead
JD Wetherspoon (JDW) took the step last year to offer all its employees guaranteed hours contracts, and the managed operator said the majority of employees had accepted this offer.
At the time, Trade Union Congress general secretary Frances O’Grady said the success of JDW proved business could be successful without zero-hours contracts.
‘Not a straightforward picture’
However, Brigid Simmonds of the British Beer & Pub Association said the trade body would wait to examine the report after the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy was not able to confirm if the recommendation would be included in the review when approached by The Morning Advertiser.
“Many employees value the flexibility they can gain from being on a zero-hours contract, so it is not a straightforward picture,” Simmonds said.
