Retail groups fear hour guarantee could limit flexibility

The government is facing calls from retail industry leaders to ensure that forthcoming reforms to guarantee workers a minimum number of hours do not unintentionally eliminate flexible jobs that many workers actively choose. Ministers have begun a public consultation on implementing new rules to address zero-hours contracts, which are used by more than one million people across various sectors.

Under the proposed changes, part of the government's employment rights legislation, employers would be required to offer a guaranteed number of hours to workers on zero-hours or low-hours contracts. The preferred government approach would calculate these hours based on a 12-week reference period, potentially guaranteeing between 8 and 20 hours per week. The goal, officials said, is to end exploitative practices and provide greater certainty over pay for workers.

However, the British Retail Consortium has expressed significant concerns. Citing new polling it commissioned, the group stated that 67 percent of part-time workers chose their current roles specifically for the flexibility they offer. Among parents with children under 18, the figure rises to 80 percent. The retail sector, which...