Zero-hours contracts

British employers are using around 1.4 million employee contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says.

Its data on non-guaranteed hours contracts (NGHCs), includes “zero-hours contracts” and some other contract types. However, the ONS also reports evidence of “a further 1.3 million contracts where no work was undertaken”, some of which “probably” need to be added to the 1.4 million estimate.

These new figures are far higher than the latest Labour Force Survey estimate of 583,000 and are based on a snapshot survey of employers in January and February.

NGHCs were most likely among employers in the tourism, catering and food sectors, and in health and social work; but least common in financial and professional services, manufacturing, energy and agriculture.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27219654

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/contracts-with-no-guaranteed-hours/zero-hours-contracts/art-zero-hours.html