zero hour contracts
Discussion
Just thought I would see what the general consensus amongst Ph'ers was re; These contracts.
I had an issue at my ( now ex) employer.
They had all the staff on zero hour contracts- and I have no beef with that for those that want them... however they also said that staff were not allowed to work elsewhere if that meant they were not available for required work shifts, and that employees who would not work a scheduled rota were dismissed. ( rotas were done weekly)
My view is that zero hour contracts are fine, but an employer should also realize that this works both ways; if you give me a zero hours contract and then require I work with little notice you should not be surprised if I say I cant work that shift. I left this employer voluntarily, but I could see that for a number of folks this system does not work.
What has happened to the idea that employers and employees work together to create a viable business that works for all concerned? Most people I know need some sort of security in their work, just as, I would think, most companies need some sort of stable workforce. Is the concept of loyalty to a business, or loyalty to staff a dead idea?
I am quite lucky , being in a high demand, well paid sector of my industry, but most of our staff would not have a lot of work choices available to them.
I had an issue at my ( now ex) employer.
They had all the staff on zero hour contracts- and I have no beef with that for those that want them... however they also said that staff were not allowed to work elsewhere if that meant they were not available for required work shifts, and that employees who would not work a scheduled rota were dismissed. ( rotas were done weekly)
My view is that zero hour contracts are fine, but an employer should also realize that this works both ways; if you give me a zero hours contract and then require I work with little notice you should not be surprised if I say I cant work that shift. I left this employer voluntarily, but I could see that for a number of folks this system does not work.
What has happened to the idea that employers and employees work together to create a viable business that works for all concerned? Most people I know need some sort of security in their work, just as, I would think, most companies need some sort of stable workforce. Is the concept of loyalty to a business, or loyalty to staff a dead idea?
I am quite lucky , being in a high demand, well paid sector of my industry, but most of our staff would not have a lot of work choices available to them.
I think zero hour contracts are a bit of a nightmare situation.
I would never, ever, accept a zero hour contract over a prolonged basis. For anything other than casual work it just does not make sense.
However, as some people are accepting them, businesses will offer them. Why wouldn't they.
The only solution to get away from them is leave, or refuse to accept one (and then either leave or don't take the job) the problem is, someone around the corner is desperate and they do take it.
Tough situation.
I would never, ever, accept a zero hour contract over a prolonged basis. For anything other than casual work it just does not make sense.
However, as some people are accepting them, businesses will offer them. Why wouldn't they.
The only solution to get away from them is leave, or refuse to accept one (and then either leave or don't take the job) the problem is, someone around the corner is desperate and they do take it.
Tough situation.
I am on a zero-hours contract for a fairly senior and responsible second job that lasts for one week each year. I know the dates a year in advance, book the holiday-time from my normal job and go off and enjoy a week doing something entirely different. This works for both me and my employer(s).
My eldest son, an Honours graduate, has been unable to find full-time work in his field so works a combination of a seasonal part-time job and a zero-hours contract for a local authority. It annoys me when they offer him short-notice work that doesn't cover his travel costs to get there and then get upset when he declines! This kind of zero-hours contract should have no place in a reputable employer's portfolio.
My eldest son, an Honours graduate, has been unable to find full-time work in his field so works a combination of a seasonal part-time job and a zero-hours contract for a local authority. It annoys me when they offer him short-notice work that doesn't cover his travel costs to get there and then get upset when he declines! This kind of zero-hours contract should have no place in a reputable employer's portfolio.
Zero hours contracts aren't particularly new. I myself was offered one to wash dishes in a kitchen in the 90s. For the employer there is some form of employer-employee relationship, staff are trained to a level and a known quantity/quality and you can have a pool or bank of people ready to work. In many ways this is better than an agency supplied temp. Of course, you need to understand what your zero hours employees desire in terms of hours and if you can balance that well without impacting on the required flexibility then you are onto a winner. You can have too much of a good thing and if you constantly recruit so that the demand for work totally outstrips the available hours then you end up shooting yourself in the foot.
GoneAnon said:
I am on a zero-hours contract for a fairly senior and responsible second job that lasts for one week each year. I know the dates a year in advance, book the holiday-time from my normal job and go off and enjoy a week doing something entirely different. This works for both me and my employer(s).
You are Santa AICMFP.Breadvan72 said:
GoneAnon said:
I am on a zero-hours contract for a fairly senior and responsible second job that lasts for one week each year. I know the dates a year in advance, book the holiday-time from my normal job and go off and enjoy a week doing something entirely different. This works for both me and my employer(s).
You are Santa AICMFP.
when used correctly they are a great option for both employer and employee.
I used to issue them quite often to students, if we had an employee going off to uni and they were a good asset I would put them on a 0 hour contract so they could come back on their holidays and work which is when it would be busier. or we would piggy back students so when one went home another came back (ideal for weekends)all had a good amount of house from start to the finish of holidays. everyone was happy. I got good staff that were trained and reliable and they had work to come back to.
what does get my goat is abuse of companies using them for core hours.
I used to issue them quite often to students, if we had an employee going off to uni and they were a good asset I would put them on a 0 hour contract so they could come back on their holidays and work which is when it would be busier. or we would piggy back students so when one went home another came back (ideal for weekends)all had a good amount of house from start to the finish of holidays. everyone was happy. I got good staff that were trained and reliable and they had work to come back to.
what does get my goat is abuse of companies using them for core hours.
Zero hour contracts work for "overtime" employees, my wife has a full time contract at work and a zero hours contract, the hospital uses the zero hour contracts to have a pool of employees who they offer extra shifts to, if you want additional shifts you get the extra contract if not you work what ever hours your standard contract states.
Terminator X said:
Imho they're shocking, surely only signed up to by the desperate?
TX.
There are advantages for both employer and employee. Obviously for people who don't appreciate the advantages, it will look like desperados filling the jobs.TX.
Unfortunately, they seem to have been struck by the "something must be done" brigade.
How does anyone pay a mortgage, do the monthly food shop on a zero hour contract?
It must be impossible to budget when you have no idea what your going to earn.
Surely as a society we want most people in proper jobs (30-40 hours) on a fair wage so they can pay there own mortgage/rent and not need state hand outs?
It must be impossible to budget when you have no idea what your going to earn.
Surely as a society we want most people in proper jobs (30-40 hours) on a fair wage so they can pay there own mortgage/rent and not need state hand outs?
bazza white said:
whats the point in the extra contract or is this for holiday entitlement.
If you where asking me, I believe the extra Zero hour contract alters payrates but puts the employee on a list of people available for extra shifts which when you work 12 hour days 3 days a week and have the normal holiday alowance means you have potential for the odd few extra shifts - some of her colleagues have funded holidays or similar by doing additional shifts - Also it works out cheaper for the hospital as they don't need to hire in agency nurses on rediculous money.Engineer1 said:
If you where asking me, I believe the extra Zero hour contract alters payrates but puts the employee on a list of people available for extra shifts which when you work 12 hour days 3 days a week and have the normal holiday alowance means you have potential for the odd few extra shifts - some of her colleagues have funded holidays or similar by doing additional shifts - Also it works out cheaper for the hospital as they don't need to hire in agency nurses on rediculous money.
isn't that just bank staff? Engineer1 said:
Precisely - it is a Zero hour contract though if you look at the full paperwork.
but that's as well as there normal contracted hours isn't it?Fairly sure when my mrs was in nursing she had like 36 hours every week and if you wanted any overtime you put your name on the bank list, rather than having no hours guaranteed per week.
Engineer1 said:
egor110 said:
isn't that just bank staff?
Precisely - it is a Zero hour contract though if you look at the full paperwork.egor110 said:
Engineer1 said:
Precisely - it is a Zero hour contract though if you look at the full paperwork.
but that's as well as there normal contracted hours isn't it?Fairly sure when my mrs was in nursing she had like 36 hours every week and if you wanted any overtime you put your name on the bank list, rather than having no hours guaranteed per week.
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