Many workers will be worried about zero hours contracts over the coming year, analysis has revealed.
According to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), workplace challenges for this year could include tensions around pay, and zero hours contracts, but there will also be opportunities for greater focus on dispute resolution.
The analysis comes after the government announced tougher sanctions for employers who do not pay their workers the minimum wage.
A recent report found that close to a third (27%) of healthcare professionals are hired on zero hours contracts.
Anne Sharp, chief executive of ACAS said: “If used responsibly by employers, zero hours contracts can offer valuable flexibility for both them and employees. But we know from calls to the Acas Helpline that there’s a lot of uncertainty on both sides around these contracts which leads to confusion.
“Employee callers [to the ACAS phone line] in particular identified strong concerns about their terms being changed at short notice. That’s why we welcome the government’s announcement of a consultation on zero hours contracts which will look at improving guidance for both employers and employees on their use.”
