New report on zero-hours contracts is not representative, says TUC

date: Thursday 3 December 2015
embargo: 00.01hrs Friday 4 December 2015

Commenting on today’s (Friday) report on zero-hours contracts by the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“This analysis is very limited. It is hard to draw conclusions about the experiences of all zero-hours workers from a sample of just 368 people.

“Zero-hours contracts do work for some people. But let’s not forget that they have been used as a way of keeping down wages and employing staff on worse terms and conditions. This is especially the case in sectors like adult social care and for younger workers.

“Today’s report must not be used as way of glossing over the problems zero-hours working can create. We’ve heard many stories of people being denied mortgages and tenancies as a result of being on these contracts and of the stress caused by not knowing how much work they will have from one day to the next.

“This research also reveals that many zero-hours workers feel less able to improve their skills and progress at work.

“Zero-hours contracts may provide flexibility for some but this should not be at the expense of decent wages and treatment at work. To build a high-productivity, high-wage Britain we need more decent jobs that provide the security people need to plan for the future.”

Research published by the TUC shows that average weekly earnings for zero-hours workers are just £188, compared to £479 for permanent workers.

Two-fifths (39 per cent) of zero-hours workers earn less than £111 a week – the qualifying threshold for statutory sick pay – compared to one in twelve (8 per cent) permanent employees.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
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