Zero-Hours Contract
An arrangement where the employer does not guarantee any minimum hours of work.
A zero-hours contract is one under which the employer is not obliged to provide any minimum hours of work and the worker may not be obliged to accept work offered. It offers flexibility but can leave workers with unpredictable income.
In Ireland, true zero-hours contracts are largely prohibited, and the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act introduced protections including banded-hours rights, minimum payments where an employee is called in but not given work, and clearer information on hours. This significantly limits their use compared with some other jurisdictions.
The UK permits zero-hours contracts but bans exclusivity clauses within them, and reform is under discussion. Employers using flexible arrangements should ensure they comply with the specific rules of each jurisdiction and treat casual staff fairly.
