Scotland continues to reduce zero hours contracts

New figures show that Scotland continues to make progress in reducing the number of employees on zero hours contracts.

The ONS document, “Contracts with No Guaranteed Hours: Autumn 2015”, shows the following for October to December 2015:

Fair work minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “While zero hours contracts can offer some people the flexibility they want in many instances they are exploitative with employers denying staff regular or sufficient working hours or unfairly penalising them for being unavailable or not accepting offers of work. This is in direct contrast to today’s Oxfam report into ‘what makes decent work’ where job security is highlighted as one of the top priorities for low paid people.

“That’s why we are working with employers, large and small, to encourage fair and progressive work practises through our support for the Living Wage and Business Pledge. The Fair Work Convention, established last year, is also considering zero hours contracts in its role to reduce inequality and promote diversity, innovation and equality in the workplace while we grow our economy. Their final report will be published later this month.

“While employment law is reserved to the UK government, we will continue to do everything we can to promote fair working practices and discourage the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts with the powers available to us.”