Minimal Hours Contract

[kia cat]

A mate's son has just taken on a job [because he'd lose his Job Seekers Allowance, if he turned the offer down]. The contract was for six hours a week, spread over a weekend.

Having taken the job, he's being told to do overtime, often with just a day's notice; or the overtime he was promised is then changed to a different day. I was under the impression overtime was voluntary? in addition he's been told he can't join a Trade Union - which I thought was illegal?

He realises he's very lucky to have a job and everyone has to start at the bottom, it's just that my mate feels they are taking the mickey; using the current climate to maximum advantage.

[factor-fiction]

Doesn't sound like overtime- sound like a slight variation of a zero hours contract where you are called in to work as required. if he really isn't able to work or doesn't want to work on particular days he should say he isn't available. in theory they can't force him to work extra hours but he may not be popular so he's taking a risk he may lose the job altogether.
But can he live on the pay from 6 hours a week?
Maybe he needs to seek a job where the arrangements suit him better

[Maydup]

Why doesn't he want the extra hours? i can understand not wanting overtime if you've already worked a 45 hour week, but in his position isn't it better for him to be a bit more flexible and take the opportunities to get more work?

If not tell him to turn down the hours, but he is less likely to progress there or to even keep the job beyond the probationary period.

[Rosetta]

In principle I find the idea of these zero contract arrangements are wrong. Yes we need a flexible workforce but imo the pendulum has swung too far the other way, workers have some rights and to be at the total beck and call of the employer seems to me to be counter productive as some workers have other responsibilities eg child care or dependent relatives to look after. How does this entice say single mothers back into the workforce

[Maydup]

I wouldn't disagree with you Rosetta, but in this particular case we have a boy who has only taken the job because his benefit is under threat if he doesn't.

i'm interested to know why he's not keen to get as many hours as possible.

In general, zero hours contracts are necessary but very open to exploitation.

[Rosetta]

I suspect the devil is in the detail Maydup, on the face of it he should want as many hours as he can get providing that it gives him enough to live on, and that the expectations are not exploitative and that he is not penalised for refusing if he has other genuine practical commitments elsewhere

[kia cat]

He was promised [as they all are these days] lots. In the end the company are using these kids as a fill in for the hours the staff who've been there a while don't want/like. He's not ungrateful for the chance of a job, and not looking for a soft option - to still claim - maidup. Just doesn't want to be treated like s*'~t by a manager [a week more senior in the job - who has more fag breaks than a kit-kat] or understandably have the waste xtracted.

and where did "…but in this particular case we have a boy who has only taken the job because his benefit is under threat if he doesn't. i'm interested to know why he's not keen to get as many hours as possible. In general, zero hours contracts are necessary but very open to exploitation …" come from? Clegg or Cameroon, Queen Victoria.

These teenagers are the ones who will be working way beyond their dotage, to keep the you + me, MPs, MEPs, Royal Family plc in comfort, and then there's all the rest too

[boxtops]

Both OH and I are on zero hours contracts. We get paid for what we work. If we get offered extra work, it's not overtime, it's more hours at the basic rate.

Kia's friend's son does seem to be offered extra hours if he's only on a six-hour p.w. contract - but I wouldn't necessarily call it overtime, just "more work at the agreed rate". It doesn't sound like taking the P to me - they must think he's good, if they offer him more work. I'd take it. If he's not working otherwise, why does it matter what day it is they offer him?