Zero-hours contracts are legal in the UK -- but the rules are changing. Here's what employers need to know for 2026 and beyond.
Zero-hours contracts remain legal in England and Wales. But the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes that every employer using them needs to understand.
A zero-hours contract is an agreement where the employer does not guarantee any minimum hours of work. The worker is not obliged to accept work when offered. It is commonly used in hospitality, retail, care work, and events.
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