Zero-hours contractWhat it means, in plain English

A zero-hours contract is an employment arrangement where the employer does not guarantee any minimum number of hours and the worker is offered work as and when it arises. Workers on these contracts still have statutory rights including the minimum wage, paid annual leave and protection from discrimination, and exclusivity clauses banning them from working elsewhere are unenforceable. UK reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025 are tightening the rules, including moves towards offers of guaranteed hours that reflect the hours actually worked over a reference period.