August 2013
Featured in this insight: Central government & non-department public bodies, Consumer goods & FMCG , Financial services, Local & regional government, Retail
New market research shows number of zero-hours workers above previous estimates: A survey of businesses by the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) has suggested that between three and four percent of the UK workforce may be on zero-hours contracts – which give no guarantee of work and thus no guarantee of income. The survey, which looked in to 1000 employers, came out with an estimate which is four times the official government line.
Results from the research suggest that 14% of those people affected cannot earn a basic standard of living. However, despite calls from Unions to ban the contracts, only 14% of respondents say that their employer often fails to provide them with enough hours of work.
According to the research, employers in the public and third sector were more likely to utilise zero-hours contracts, and at places which did use them, the average number of staff found to be on them was less than a fifth at around 16%.
The total of between three and four percent of the UK workforce equates to around 1 million people, of which the report suggests 1 in 3 are under the age of 25.
Some major brands who utilise zero hours contracts include:
- McDonalds
- Boots
- Sports Direct
- CeX
- Subway
- KFC
