Last month the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills launched a consultation on the use of zero hours contracts following much media attention and parliamentary concern surrounding the negative impact that such contractual arrangements can have.
It is currently estimated that a million UK workers are employed on zero hours contracts. Loosely defined, a zero hours contract is a contractual arrangement whereby the employer does not guarantee the individual any minimum working hours and the individual is not obliged to accept any work offered. While zero hours contracts can be a useful tool to businesses providing flexibility and retention of skills, as well as offering individuals the opportunity to work around other commitments they may have, the concern is that these contracts are being abused. A particular issue, and one which the consultation considers, is the use of exclusivity clauses in such contracts. These restrictions tie individuals to one employer, preventing them from working for another employer, even where their own employer offers no guarantee of work.
Howes Percival’s employment law experts Nicola Butterworth and Harriet Howes will be discussing the use of zero hours contracts as part of a wider discussion on flexible and atypical working, at the forthcoming Norfolk Chamber of Commerce HR Forum on 5 March 2014 at Dunston Hall Hotel, Norwich. The session will also look at managing an ageing workforce, in particular dealing with performance management, sickness absence and potential disability issues. In addition, Nicola and Harriet will look at further reforms to employment law that are currently in the pipeline for 2014, and how these will impact on local businesses.
Event Timing: Wednesday 5 March, 14:00 – 17:00Event Venue: Dunston Hall, Ipswich Road, Dunston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8PQEvent Price: Members Rate – £25.00+VAT, Non-Members Rate: £50.00+VAT
To book a place please click here
