Definition:
Zero-hours contracts are employment agreements where employers are not obligated to provide a minimum number of working hours, while workers are expected to remain available.
Usage Context:
Used in retail, hospitality, care work, and logistics sectors.
Critical Note:
Zero-hours contracts externalise uncertainty while preserving control. Workers bear the cost of unpredictability without receiving corresponding flexibility or security.
Related Terms:
Precarious Labour, Labour Flexibility Framing, Power Imbalance, Economic Precarity, Switching Costs