The vast majority of workers on zero-hours contracts want regular hours, according to a new TUC poll published today (Friday).
The poll of zero-hours contract workers reveals that over 8 in 10 want regular hours of work – compared to just 1 in 7 who don’t.
The poll reveals that many zero-hours workers are struggling financially due to being underemployed.
Three-quarters of those polled say they have experienced difficulty meeting living expenses due to not being offered enough hours.
The poll also reveals how many zero-hours contract workers have struggled to balance caring responsibilities and family commitments with their work:
The poll shows that mums and carers on ZHCs are more likely than those not on ZHCs (22% and 20% respectively) to often find it hard to manage care alongside their work –
putting paid to the idea that ZHCs are the best way to help working parents and carers balance paid work and unpaid caring commitments.
The majority of students on zero-hours contracts also reported that they had experienced difficulties managing studying and education alongside their work.
The poll further reveals that even amongst the minority of zero-hours contract workers who report working in this way because of their need for flexibility (for care or for study) – 6 in 10 – would prefer a contract with guaranteed shifts (compared to less than a quarter of this group for whom this arrangement would not be preferable)
The TUC says the findings highlight the importance of the government’s forthcoming Employment Rights Bill that will ban the use of zero-hours contracts and other exploitative practices.
Analysis published by the union body in June revealed that 4.1 million people in the UK were currently employed in low-paid and insecure work – including around 1 million workers on zero-hours contracts.
Separate TUC polling published in July revealed that the vast majority (67%) of voters in Britain – across the political spectrum – support banning zero-hours contracts by offering all workers a contract that reflects their normal hours of work and compensation for cancelled shifts.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“Most people on zero-hours contracts would much rather have the security of guaranteed hours and to be able to plan their lives properly.
“The so-called ‘flexibility’ these contracts offer is hugely one-sided with shifts regularly cancelled at the last minute – often without any compensation.
“I would challenge anyone to try and survive on a zero-hours contract not knowing from week to week how much work they will have.
“It’s time to drive up employment standards in this country and to make work pay for everyone.
“The government’s forthcoming employment rights bill will help create a level playing field – and stop good employers from being undercut by the bad.”
