Data Shows Zero-Hours Contracts at 1.4m

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data estimating the number of people on zero-hours contracts to be around 1.4 million.

Following a survey of 5,000 employers, the results show that in January to February 2014 there were approximately 1.4 million employee contracts that didn't guarantee a minimum number of hours or pay. These zero-hours contracts (employment contracts in which an employer does not guarantee the individual any work and the individual is not obliged to accept any work offered) are currently being closely scrutinised because they do not safeguard workers.

The data shows that:

• the types of people employed under these controversial employment contracts are more likely to be women, in full-time education or in young (16-24) or older (65 and over) age groups;
• Two thirds of people employed on zero-hours contracts work part-time compared with around a quarter of people not employed on zero-hours contracts;
• A third of those employed on a zero-hours contract want more hours, with most wanting them in their current job.

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