The government must not regulate flexible jobs “out of existence” with planned reforms to scrap zero-hours contracts, retail leaders have warned — as new polling suggests two-thirds of part-time workers rely on the very flexibility ministers want to restrict.
Last week, ministers laid out proposals that could force employers to offer staff on zero-hours or short-hours contracts a guaranteed minimum number of hours each week. The consultation, which is due to inform changes coming into effect next year, flagged that the government would prefer workers to be guaranteed between eight and 20 hours per week if their current contract is at or below that level.
“Retail leaders warn government not to regulate flexible work 'out of existence' as zero-hours contract reforms are proposed.”
But the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the reforms are “poorly designed” and would put opportunities for many workers at risk. Polling commissioned by the organisation found that 67% of part-time workers took their role because they needed flexibility around commitments such as study, childcare and caring responsibilities. The BRC also highlighted that more than half of all retail jobs — 57.8% — are part-time.
The Guaranteed Hours consultation comes shortly after the Milburn Review highlighted the scale of the challenge facing youth employment, with more than one million young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “It’s vital that we don’t regulate flexible jobs out of existence. Flexible and part-time work is how millions of people make employment work for them – balancing shifts alongside study, childcare or caring responsibilities, and retail plays a vital role in providing those opportunities.”
“For many workers, that flexibility isn’t (just) nice to have – it’s what makes employment possible and allows them to take on extra hours when it suits them,” she added. “Retailers need to offer those additional hours when demand is there, but they cannot guarantee them all-year round.”
A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson pushed back, stating: “Reducing uncertainty over hours and pay will boost living standards for millions of workers, benefit businesses and support economic growth. Those offered guaranteed hours will be able to turn them down and remain on their current arrangement if they wish, and employers and workers can express their views on what the impact of different options could be by responding to the consultation.”
The consultation process is now open, leaving retailers and unions to argue over how much flexibility Britain’s workforce can afford to lose.