Are zero-hours contracts being banned?

No blanket ban is currently in force. The Employment Rights Act 2025 provides for guaranteed-hours offers, reasonable shift notice and short-notice payments. The government lists these measures for 2027, with timing and detailed rules subject to further implementation.

Use the government implementation timetable to distinguish current duties from planned changes. Northern Ireland has separate employment law.

What rights are planned?

  • Guaranteed hours: eligible workers would receive an offer reflecting their regular working pattern and could accept or reject it.
  • Shift notice: rights to reasonable notice of shifts and changes.
  • Short-notice payments: payments in specified situations when shifts are cancelled, moved or shortened.

Reference periods, notice standards, payment calculations and eligibility depend on detailed regulations. Do not treat a proposed rule as a settled contract requirement.

What rules apply now?

A zero-hours label does not determine employment status or remove statutory rights. Exclusivity clauses are prohibited in zero-hours contracts. Current contract terms and legal duties continue to apply.

The GOV.UK guidance for employers encourages clear communication, as much shift notice as possible and avoiding last-minute cancellations.

How should you prepare your business?

  1. Map arrangements: identify casual, zero-hours, low-hours and agency working.
  2. Review real hours: record work offered, accepted, completed, changed and cancelled.
  3. Compare terms with practice: check who offers shifts and how workers can decline them.
  4. Identify predictable demand: consider whether part-time, fixed-term or annualised hours fit better.
  5. Improve scheduling: give managers a consistent process for publishing rotas and recording changes.

Should you change contracts immediately?

Review gaps now, but do not rewrite terms around unconfirmed details. Contract changes need a considered process; take advice where the written agreement and day-to-day pattern differ.

Adept HR can help compare working arrangements, review terms and prepare manager guidance. Our first-hire checklist covers the foundations for a clear employment arrangement.