What rights do I have on a zero hours contract?

Rights you get on a zero hours contract

Most people on zero hours contracts are classed as workers. Workers have these legal rights:

• the National Minimum Wage for every hour worked
• paid holiday (up to 5.6 weeks a year, built up from the hours you work)
• rest breaks, and a limit of 48 hours a week on average unless you opt out
• protection from unlawful deductions from your pay
• protection from discrimination
• whistleblowing protection
• the same treatment as full time workers if you work part time
• health and safety protection, the same as other staff

You may also be able to get Statutory Sick Pay and statutory maternity, paternity or adoption pay if you meet the conditions.

Minimum wage from April 2026

You can work for other employers

Your employer cannot stop you working elsewhere. If your contract bans you from looking for or taking work with another employer, you can ignore that clause.

You can say no to work

A zero hours contract works both ways. Your employer does not have to offer you work, and you do not have to accept work when it is offered.

Sick pay

Since 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day you are off sick, and there is no minimum earnings level. You get £123.25 a week or 80% of your normal weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Your earnings are averaged over 8 weeks, but you can still qualify if you have worked less than that.

Example: you average £100 a week. 80% of that is £80, which is lower than £123.25, so your SSP is £80 a week.

Rights workers usually do not get

If you are a worker but not an employee, you usually do not get:

• protection against unfair dismissal
• a minimum notice period if your job ends
• the right to ask for flexible working
• time off for emergencies
• statutory redundancy pay

Special case: you might be an employee

The word "zero hours" in your contract does not decide your status. If in practice you have to accept work, work regular set hours, and your employer controls how you work, you could be an employee. Employees get extra rights, such as protection against unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy pay.

Changes coming but not yet in force

The Employment Rights Act 2025 will give zero hours workers rights to guaranteed hours based on hours they usually work, reasonable notice of shifts, and pay for shifts cancelled or cut at short notice. The government consulted on how this will work in summer 2026. These rights have not yet taken effect.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The rules above apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, run through nidirect. Workers there also get the minimum wage, paid holiday and rest breaks. Status disputes go to an Industrial Tribunal.

How to check your rights

1. Read your written contract or statement of terms.
2. Use GOV.UK's employment status guidance to see if you are a worker or employee.
3. Get free advice from Acas, or Citizens Advice.

Related guides

• What is employment status and why does it matter?
• How much holiday am I entitled to?
• How do I work out my holiday pay?
• How many hours can I be made to work?
• Do I have to work on Sundays?

Where this comes from

• Zero hours contracts (GOV.UK)
• Employment status: worker (GOV.UK)
• National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (GOV.UK)
• Statutory Sick Pay: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
• Make Work Pay: reforms of zero hours contracts consultation (GOV.UK)
• Employment status (nidirect)