Human Resources Glossary - Z

Zero Hour Contract

A zero-hour contract is a type of employment agreement that formally establishes working relationships with workers who perform tasks frequently referred to as "piece work" or "on-call work." By their very nature these agreements are not created with full commitment in mind and may be deemed "casual."

Employers in a zero-hour contract do not promise that workers will have access to work. Employees are not required to accept work when it is offered to them either. This is accurate even if an agreement claiming this is forced upon employees at the time of contract signing.