Government inquiry to act on zero-hours contracts

by Susie Hughes at 11:11 23/05/17 (News on Business)

The Government-commissioned inquiry into self-employment and independent working practices is set to call for employees on zero-hours contracts to be given the right to request a move onto fixed hours, according to reports from the BBC.

The BBC says that Matthew Taylor, who is leading the inquiry, will say that some workers might be being exploited by businesses. The 'right to request' fixed hours will be similar to the present right to request flexible hours - after having a child for example. Employers would have to respond 'seriously' to the request and give reasons for their decision. The employers group, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) supported the idea in its submission to the Taylor review. There has been on-going concern that employees are exploited by zero-hours contracts by some firms who use them as a business model. There have also been tribunal cases which have looked favourably on the workers. Advertisement It is estimated that nearly one million people now operate on zero-hours contracts. The contracts deny workers full employee rights as they are forced to operate on what is seen as a quasi-self-employed basis. However, genuine freelancers who intentionally and willingly operate in a similar way, have been concerned that any wide-reaching reforms to protect the vulnerable workers could adversely affect them but giving them rights they do not way. Sources told the BBC that Mr Taylor had been struck by the example of McDonald's, which offered all its staff on zero-hours contracts the chance to move onto fixed hours and about 20 per cent of employees on zero-hours had asked for a move, while the remainder were content with the flexibility afforded by contracts without guaranteed hours. Controversial The zero-hours contracts have been the source of ongoign cotnroversy with some feeling they exploit workers and others benefiting from the flexibility. With some new business model embracing them, there are becoming more prevalent in the market-place - and a political 'hot potato'. Labour has proposed banning them if it wins the general election and the Liberal Democrats have said they back a 'right to request' change to employment regulations. The ongoing rise in the number of self-employed people has also raised accusations that companies are using the 'self-employment' status of people who work for them to avoid tax liabilities such as national insurance payments, and avoid legitimate workers' rights. The Conservatives - which commissioned the Taylor review - said that they would look at new rights for people working in the so-called gig-economy' who are often classed as self-employed even though they may be regularly working for one company. Tweet -- If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'. - Susie Hughes © Shout99 2017

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