Government backs proposals to give workers greater say over working hours

The government has backed a proposed law that would give workers greater say over their working hours by giving them the right to request a predictable working pattern.

On 3rd February, the government gave its backing to a Private Members Bill put forward by Blackpool South MP, Scott Benton. The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill would apply to all workers and employees including agency workers to give them a guarantee of when they are required to work, rather than being called up at the last minute for a shift.

The bill follows a 2017 review of modern working practices and the gig economy which identified that workers on zero hours contracts experience ‘one-sided flexibility’.

Under the proposals, if a worker’s existing working pattern lacks certainty in terms of the hours they work, the times they work or if it is a fixed term contract for less than 12 months, they will be able to make a formal application to change their working pattern to make it more predictable.

Labour Markets Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

“Hard working staff on zero hours contracts across the country put their lives on hold to make themselves readily available for shifts that may never actually come.

“Employers having one-sided flexibility over their staff is unfair and unreasonable. This Bill will ensure workers can request more predictable working patterns where they want them, so they can get on with their daily lives.”

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton said:

“A significant number of my constituents experience unpredictable work. Being able to ask their employers to consider requests for a more predictable working pattern such as working on set days, or for a permanent contract, will help them to work more predictable hours and provide more reliably for their families in some cases, and help with their work-life balance in other situations.

“This Bill gives people a right to ask their employers to consider requests and will be welcomed by thousands of people.”

The government’s backing of the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill follows recent changes to protections for pregnant women and new parents, and extending the right to request flexible working conditions from day one.