1,700 council workers in South West on zero hour contracts
It has been reported that 1,700 council workers across the South West are employed on ‘Zero Hour’ contracts.
Councils in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall employ workers on the contracts that have been criticised by unions and politicians.
Last week Business Sectary Vince Cable announced a review of the practice over concerns that it is being used to exploit low-paid workers.
The contracts have been used in some cases to ensure workers do not work elsewhere while not guaranteeing an adequate wage.
Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council are among councils in the South West that employ workers on zero hour contracts.
Devon County Council, which employs 173 staff on ‘nil’ hour contracts, has defended their use due to the flexibility it offers both employers and employees.
A spokesman for the council said: “These types of contract are used in areas of the Council’s work where there is an unpredictable and fluctuating demand on our services, which could mean that from one month to another, we may not know how many staff will be needed to provide particular support to people.
“The Council can contact workers who have expressed an interest in working to see if they’re available to work.
“If the council were to employ people on contracted hours, there could be some weeks where there would be insufficient work to give all the staff on the payroll, and yet they would still be entitled to be paid for their contracted hours, which would not be a good use of the Council’s resources.”
Some unions however, argue that zero hour contracts are being used to exploit workers and removes financial security from employment.
The Work Foundation has reported that the number of employers using zero hour contracts have doubled since 2011 and that 60% of care workers are now employed on these contracts.
Samson Low, UNISON's head of Policy said: “A wide range of UNISON members are telling us about the uncertainty and problems these contracts bring and too often these jobs should be permanent with minimum hours and full employment rights."
Labour MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw said: “Zero hours contracts are wrong when they're used long term and against the will of the employee.
“Labour is looking at addressing this problem while allowing the flexibility that some employees prefer and employers, including local authorities, say they need.
“For example, I recently met two local Exeter care workers, who are past retirement age but carry on working part time on zero hours contracts because they enjoy the job, but they also value the freedom their contracts give them to fit their work around family responsibilities and holidays."
