Two-thirds of employees on zero-hours contracts have been working for the same employer for over a year, with one in eight stuck in these precarious conditions for more than a decade. Meanwhile, almost half (45%) have been with the same company for over two years, according to research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Despite the widespread use of zero-hours contracts, 84% of affected workers say they would prefer stable, regular hours. The TUC estimates that more than 720,000 people are currently “trapped” in insecure work arrangements, struggling to plan their lives around unpredictable shifts and fluctuating incomes.
The UK government has previously pledged to address “exploitative” zero-hours contracts as part of its Employment Rights Bill. However, critics argue that an outright ban could lead to an increase in “false self-employment,” further complicating workers’ rights and protections. The TUC, however, insists that those opposing the ban are disregarding the serious financial and emotional toll that job insecurity takes on workers and their families.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Zero-hours contracts give bosses almost total control of workers’ earning power and hours – making it a nightmare for families to plan budgets and childcare. As we have seen with recent scandals, these precarious contracts make it far too easy for managers to bully and harass staff frightened about losing shifts. I would challenge any boss to try and survive for a few months on a zero-hours contract not knowing from week to week how much work they will have – let alone a decade.”
With record numbers of young people on zero-hours contracts in 2023, the call for reform is growing louder. The TUC highlights that the UK’s reliance on insecure work is harming not just employees but also the wider economy.