Most young people are happy with less secure jobs despite the Government planning a major crackdown on them, research finds.
A new survey has found that three-quarters (74 per cent) of 16-34 year-olds in ‘precarious employment’ are satisfied with their working conditions.
And almost half of the 1,004 young people questioned (46 per cent) by Focaldata for the Centre for Social Justice are opposed to the ban on ‘zero-hours contracts’ proposed by ministers.
The think-tank found that more than half a million under-35s have deals that give them no guaranteed working hours, with many seeing the jobs as a first step on the career ladder.
It comes as Labour prepares to unveil restrictions on zero-hours contracts as part of a huge expansion of workers’ rights.
Under the Employment Rights Bill to be published on Thursday, the arrangements will be banned if they are deemed ‘exploitative’ although workers will be allowed to retain flexibility if they want it.
Nikita Malik, head of work and opportunity at the Centre for Social Justice, said: ‘In its pursuit of so-called ‘good work’ it would be a mistake for the Government to chuck out zero-hour contracts. Precarious work exists on a spectrum, with zero-hour contracts or no contract on one end, and short-hour and fixed-term contracts on the other.
‘Our research shows young people are largely satisfied with this type of work and see it as a necessary stepping stone to other, more permanent employment. For many, especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, it can provide the first critical rungs on the employment ladder.
‘The danger for the Government is that banning zero hours contracts will not prevent bad employers from finding other ways to exploit young people.
Rather than demonising flexible working arrangements, the focus should be on meeting young people’s desire for more work and providing on-the-job training and promotional pathways so that precarious or temporary jobs can lead to satisfying and lucrative careers.’
Under Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay, all employees will be allowed to demand flexible hours from day one in a new job as well as the ‘right to switch off’ when they go home.
Staff will also be entitled to sick pay from their first day of illness, will be able to bring unfair dismissal claims after probation periods of just six months rather than two years, and a ‘right to switch off’ outside office hours.
Businesses have warned that they will be less likely to take on new staff because of the burden of the new law while hospitality firms like bars and restaurants insist they have to be able to offer flexible hours to students and working parents.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds held yet another meeting with both industry leaders and trade unions to go over the details of the reforms.