Zero-hours contract

If you have a zero-hours contract, this means you only work when your employer asks you to. You only get paid for the hours you work. If there is no work, you will not be paid.  

Working with a zero-hours contract 

If you have a zero-hours contract, you only work when you are asked to do so. You do not have any fixed hours, and you only work when there is work to do. Your contract, which may be temporary or permanent, does not specify the number of hours you work. Instead, your contract states ‘zero hours’.  

Wages, holidays and sick leave 

You must be paid at least the minimum wage or the wage specified in the CAO if one applies to you. If you have been asked to work but you fall sick, you will receive at least 70% of your wages. You also accrue holiday days. The number you are entitled to depends on the number of hours you have worked. You also receive holiday pay, which is at least 8% of your wages. 

Rules for calling employees into work 

Your employer must give you at least four days' notice if it wants you to come into work. If your employer gives you less notice, you may refuse to come into work. If you are called into work, you must be paid for the hours you have been called in for, even if you work fewer hours than you were asked to work. If you have been called into work but this is cancelled less than four days’ before you were due to work, your employer must still pay you. If a CAO applies to you, this might contain different rules.  

If you have worked for your employer for more than three months 

If you have worked for your employer for at least three months, you are often entitled to work fixed hours. You will then be paid for those hours even if you are on sick leave or there is less work. If you work for your employer for more than 12 months, your employer must offer you fixed hours.