Zero Hours Contract UK — Your Rights and What You Need to Know

Zero hours contracts are widely used in the UK — particularly in hospitality, retail, care and events sectors. But many workers on zero hours contracts don't know what rights they have. This guide explains everything clearly.

What is a Zero Hours Contract?

A zero hours contract is an employment contract where the employer does not guarantee the worker any minimum number of hours. The employer offers work when it is available, and the worker can choose whether to accept it — though in practice, refusing hours can sometimes result in being offered fewer in future.

Are Zero Hours Contracts Legal in the UK?

Yes. Zero hours contracts are legal in the UK. They are currently regulated by the Employment Rights Act 1996. The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 was passed but was never brought into force and has since been repealed by the Employment Rights Act 2025. From 2027, under the Employment Rights Act 2025, workers on zero hours contracts will gain new rights to guaranteed hours contracts that reflect their regular hours worked over a 12-week reference period. Shift notice rights and compensation for cancelled shifts also come in from October 2026.

Zero Hours Contract Rights UK

Workers on zero hours contracts have the following rights:

• National Living Wage / National Minimum Wage — for all hours worked
• Holiday pay — 5.6 weeks per year, accrued pro-rata based on hours worked
• Statutory sick pay — if they meet the earnings threshold
• Protection from unlawful discrimination
• The right to request a predictable contract after 26 weeks (Workers Act 2023)
• Rest breaks and maximum working hours under the Working Time Regulations

Zero Hours Contract Holiday Pay UK

Zero hours workers accrue holiday pay based on the hours they actually work. The accrual rate is 12.07% of hours worked for the standard 5.6 weeks' annual leave entitlement. Holiday pay must be calculated using an average of earnings over the preceding 52 weeks.