UNISON responds to CIPD report into zero hour contracts

UNISON today insisted that huge numbers of zero hours contract (ZHC) jobs are unjustified and unsuitable for many public services, despite a report* from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development claiming many workers are happy with them.

The union says that there may be some who are happy with ZHCs, who have a lifestyle that suits them and who do not have to worry about when the next pay cheque will arrive.  But for the majority, these contracts are used to make cuts and reduce employment rights. 

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“The CIPD has taken a snap-shot of worker and employer views without some of the context.  Many of these new jobs are in the public services and they replace permanent jobs. Staff are being forced onto them against their will or face losing their jobs. 

“They are not suitable for patient safety critical areas such as social care nor do they contribute to good social care.  Continuity of carer was found to be important under the Cavendish review and that is difficult to achieve with a zero hours workforce.

“Not knowing from week to week what money you have coming in to buy food and pay your bills can be distressing.  Having your working hours varied at short notice is also stressful and it makes planning, childcare arrangements and budgeting hard.”

The fact that the CIPD estimates there are one million on these contracts calls into question Government unemployment figures, says the union, as they are not included in the figures.

Many ZHC jobs in the public sector are second and third jobs used to top up part-time and low pay in the main job, e.g. NHS and social care ‘bank’ staff. Even if the usual number of hours per week is satisfactory, they can be changed at short notice and sometimes for only 3 or 4 hour shifts that public transport fares are barely covered.

97% of councils use homecare contracts that don’t guarantee care providers any work from one week to the next.  This uncertainty is passed onto already low paid care workers in the form of ZHCs.  The union is highly critical of the rise in the use of such contracts because they are leading to worse services for the elderly and some of the most vulnerable people in our society. 

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*CIPD report: Zero hours contracts – myth and reality.