Is there anything that can be done to make the employer change from a zero hour contract to a minimum hours' contract?

The use of zero hours contracts has been well publicised recently in the media with commentators and politicians warning about the exploitation of staff on such contracts which give no guarantees of shifts or work patterns.

A zero hours contract is one under which the employer is not obliged to provide a minimum amount of work, but the worker is obliged to be available for any work when offered.

The main advantage of zero hours contracts is the flexibility they provide. Employers argue that this can be beneficial to both the employer and the worker, for instance, by providing workers with the flexibility to juggle family commitments.

However, it is perceived that the advantages of these