WhackyWill Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I have worked on contract for many agencies over the years as a Self Employed Contractor with no guarantee of work next day never mine next month, Can somebody tell me what is the difference between this and a Zero Hours Contract. :scare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 It's being employed directly so PAYE but with no guarantee of hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 It's being employed directly so PAYE but with no guarantee of hours. How does that work..!!! :scare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Under the paragraph that says "Number of contracted hours per week" in the contract, it says "0" presumably. There's just no guarantee of work, that's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Under the paragraph that says "Number of contracted hours per week" in the contract, it says "0" presumably. There's just no guarantee of work, that's all. So why would they employ me then..No guarantee of work.. :scare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baidan Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Will call you as and when needed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 So why would they employ me then..No guarantee of work.. :scare: I'm not sure what you're asking here mate? Clearly a contract of this type is not aimed at you: It's aimed at minimum wage workers in cities, who will do pretty much anything at the lower end of the wage scale. Company A needs 10 people for a shift at Generic Fast Food Restaurant, they call 20 people the day before telling them to come in, 5 don't bother showing up but 15 do. They employ the first 10 to arrive, the other 5 get sent home. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Will call you as and when needed.. OK. But am I getting paid a retainer then awaiting your phone call for me start work well you have employed me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 No, you don't get a retainer. Again, not aimed at skilled staff, so they cannot demand a retainer to be put in their contracts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) So why would they employ me then..No guarantee of work.. :scare: I'm not sure what you're asking here mate? Clearly a contract of this type is not aimed at you: It's aimed at minimum wage workers in cities, who will do pretty much anything at the lower end of the wage scale. Company A needs 10 people for a shift at Generic Fast Food Restaurant, they call 20 people the day before telling them to come in, 5 don't bother showing up but 15 do. They employ the first 10 to arrive, the other 5 get sent home. In that case why has every media made it such a Major Election issue. Edited April 1, 2015 by WhackyWill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) Generic Fast Food Restaurant OK. But am I getting paid a retainer then awaiting your phone call for me start work Have you got a job at McDonalds Will? Edited April 1, 2015 by DoogyRev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Generic Fast Food Restaurant OK. But am I getting paid a retainer then awaiting your phone call for me start work Have you got a job at McDonalds Will? Well no not yet..but this is the bit I don't get...WHY IS ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS, such a Election issue how may students who work at Mc D are really going to make a difference, it cannot be just that.. :scare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Have you got a job at McDonalds Will? Well no not yet..but this is the bit I don't get...WHY IS ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS, such a Election issue how may students who work at Mc D are really going to make a difference, it cannot be just that.. :scare: Don't worry about that zero hours bit, just think of the Burgers . . perhaps they will pay in you chicken nuggets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Pssssst Will . . have you ever used a search engine before? . . . 1st entry in google . . . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-hour_contract :scare: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 It's an issue because Labour want to make it one. They see them as awful for people as it guarantees the person zero income, which makes it hard to plan for a life. On the other hand, the Tories see them as helpful as they allow people a chance to get at least some work rather than claim 100% of the JSA. No right or wrong answer, it depends on which side of the fence you sit on. Personally I don't see the harm, but I guess if I was reliant on them then it may make it harder for me to start a proper life. Of course, if that were the case I'd go and do something about it like make myself more employable, but some people would rather blame every one else for their problems. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 They get complicated when it comes to taking days off, because you're not contracted to work any specific days, they can fiddle things to not have to pay you holiday pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Is this something the Tories started, as DC seemed to be taking some flack for it? If your on a zero hours employment contract would you be classed as employed I.e your not one of the statistics and unemployed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andywatson Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 It was a Labour Idea! So companies took people on without long term commitment it got the unemployed numbers down statistically Now as with most things the party that thought it up thinks it is a bad idea and uses it against the government in the election! Politics eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 It was a Labour Idea! So companies took people on without long term commitment it got the unemployed numbers down statistically Now as with most things the party that thought it up thinks it is a bad idea and uses it against the government in the election! Politics eh? Ha, no one would believe you in "real life" would they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 It's not just aimed at unskilled staff. It is also rife in the TEFL/ESOL industry where you have highly skilled grammarians and linguists who'll work on zero hour contracts. As already stated, there is work but your employer can drop you like a bad habit if they want to without any concerns of legal action of unfair dismissal on the part of the employee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Which they can do in the first two years anyway. If you're still on a zero hours contract after two years with the same company, you need to be re-evaluating your life choices IMHO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Which they can do in the first two years anyway. If you're still on a zero hours contract after two years with the same company, you need to be re-evaluating your life choices IMHO. True, but perhaps some people don't have that choice Either way, it definitely needs to be dealt with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 They do have a choice, two years is plenty to get off your arse and get some quals, or move to a company that has better prospects, especially if you're in the sectors you mentioned. I'm not so sure anything needs to be done at all. If the market wants them, then they should stay. If they're not needed, they'll die off on their own. To restrict the market and take away a legitimate method of employing folks at a time where the economy is just starting to get back on its feet is self-defeating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth29 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Just a way for employers to exploit low skilled workers I'm afraid and the reason its an election issue is that more and more people are on them - part of george osbornes flexible workforce 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 How is it exploiting them? Without a zero contract, they can't get any work. With one, they have a chance at work. I'd say a chance is better than nothing. As the economy improves, this type of contract will be used less as the demand for labour improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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