Zero Hours Contracts - How Reform Will Affect You

Fiona Rushforth takes a look at the hot topic of "Zero hours" contracts and how the new proposals will effect the fashion retail sector...

"Zero hours" contracts have been a hot topic over the past 12 months, as employee organisations, the press and politicians have all voiced concerns over their growing use. Last month, Ed Miliband announced that Labour would reform the use of zero hours contracts to prevent "abuses". The proposals could have a major effect on sectors such as retail where zero hours contracts are commonly used.

What is a zero hours contract?

There is no legal definition of a "zero hours" contract. In a traditional zero hours arrangement, the employer is not obliged to offer any work, and the worker is not obliged to accept work when it is offered. The worker can therefore have multiple employers. However, another form of the contracts has become widely used – an "exclusive" arrangement whereby the employer does not have to offer any particular