PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Conditions of Employment (30 June 2014)

Under the new regulations, which were brought into force on the 30 June, all employees with 26 continuous weeks of service have the right to request flexible working from their employer. Individuals on zero hours contracts, and who are employees, can request a change in their contracts which could also include a request to move to a fixed hours contract.

Individuals on zero hours contracts may be employees or workers, depending on the contract agreed between them and their employer. The Government does not keep records on the proportion of individual zero hours contracts workers on either employee or worker contracts.

While individuals on zero hour contracts, and who are not employees, do not have a statutory right to request flexible working, they can make an informal request to their employer to vary their hours or their working pattern. An employer can also choose to offer contractual rights that are more generous than those provided for in statute.