03-03-2025
Zero-hours contracts: What are they as research shows an increase in over-50s on them?
More than 300,000 workers over the age of 50 are employed on zero-hours contracts, according to new research.
An analysis of official figures by campaign group Rest Less found that the total number had increased from 190,000 a decade ago.
It said people aged 50 or over make up 26% of the entire zero-hour contract workforce. Combined, the under-25s and over-50s make up 66% of the total zero-hour contracts workforce, it added.
Stuart Lewis, chief executive of Rest Less, said: 'Ahead of significant proposed changes to the structure of zero-hours contracts, our analysis paints a picture of the growing prevalence of insecure work amongst older workers.
'The fact that we've seen a 58% increase in over-50s on zero-hour contracts over the past decade reflects both the changing nature of work and the increasing pressure on older workers to accept less secure employment arrangements.
'We know that for some, zero-hour contracts can offer highly flexible working arrangements that enable people to fit work around other life commitments. For others, they are the only option available to older workers who can find themselves shut out of standard employment opportunities due to age discrimination."
He said they were concerned that some older workers currently on zero-hours contracts could be at risk of unintended consequences from the policy change, adding: 'We are concerned that some employers will stop offering zero-hours contracts entirely which could make it more difficult for older workers to find flexible work in the future, potentially forcing them into other shadow employment arrangements with even less protection.'
The government website says: "Zero-hours contracts are also known as casual contracts. Zero-hours contracts are usually for 'piece work' or 'on call' work, for example for interpreters."
It adds that this means workers are "on call when you need them", that you "do not have to give them work", and that they "do not have to do work when asked".
The Acas website says zero-hours contracts can be: "a flexible option for both employers and workers", adding, "For example, if the work is not constant or is 'as and when'."
The general understanding is that an employer doesn't have to provide minimum working hours, but equally the employee doesn't have to take work offered if they don't want to.
Acas gives examples as bank work in the NHS, care work, delivery driving, gig economy work, hospitality work and warehouse work.
Zero-hours workers are entitled to statutory annual leave and the National Minimum Wage in the same way as regular workers, the government website says.
Employers can't stop an zero-hours worker from getting work elsewhere, and workers can ignore a clause in their contract if it bans them from looking for work or accepting work from another employer.
Campaigners are concerned that zero-hours contracts offer little job security or guaranteed income, predictable income, leading to difficulty accessing benefits and other impacts on the worker's personal life.
The system is thought by many to create a power imbalance, with workers feeling pressured to accept shifts amid fear of losing them in the future, and the potential for employers to exploit workers.
The government's Employment Rights Bill proposes changes to zero-hours contracts that are hoped to make them fairer, including guaranteed hours, notice perios and compensation if shifts are cancelled or changed at short notice.
The bill was published in October 2024 but may not come into effect until 2026 or later.
In the wake of the report from Rest Less, a Bus and Trade Department spokesperson said: 'Our Employment Rights Bill will ensure workers can have flexibility that suits them as well as their employer by giving people the right to a guaranteed hours contract. Those who want to remain on their current arrangement can do so.
'These measures are not about restricting choice, they are seeking to end exploitative zero-hour contracts. We are committed to ending one-sided flexibility to ensure workers who want to have more predictability are able to.'
