Insecure work | Charity warns of serious consequences after plans to ban zero hour contracts are watered down

A charity has issued a stark warning of continued exploitation and financial insecurity for workers after plans to ban zero hour contracts look set to be watered down, dashing young women’s hopes of stronger workplace rights.

An amendment to the Employment Rights Bill from the House of Lords now says that workers on zero hours contracts will have to request guaranteed hours – instead of it being the responsibility of the employer to offer it.

Research from the charity Young Women’s Trust shows that passing the responsibility to workers is likely to mean that many will miss out on their promised rights. Nearly half (45%) of young women – who are disproportionately likely to be on zero hours contracts - said that they have already put up with unfair treatment whilst working in insecure work because they were worried about not getting the hours they needed if they challenged it. 

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Furthermore, young women don’t know what they’re entitled to in the first place with almost half (48%) of those in insecure jobs saying that they are not aware of their rights. The charity warns this demonstrates a “severe lack of much-needed communication and education about worker’s rights, and represents a significant barrier to many workers in accessing their entitlements.”