Comments for Management Accounting Services http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:51:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by Neil Coombes http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-94 Neil Coombes Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:51:47 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-94 Dear Mark Thank you for your question on my article which Martin Bown of My Management Accountant kindly published on his site. He has invited me to respond to you. There does seem to be some confusion with Zero hour contracts and being self employed. A zero hour contract is still a contract of employment whilst it is in operation, hence the usual terms about obeying reasonable instructions from a manager (ie being asked to attend to work) apply . She can say no of course but if she does, it is unlikely that any further hours would be forthcoming. Zero hours contracts can be beneficial to both parties but they can be made to favour the employer as seems to be happening with your daughter. I hope that helps but please get back in touch if you need any further assistance. Best wishes Neil Coombes, Solicitor Dear Mark
Thank you for your question on my article which Martin Bown of My Management Accountant kindly published on his site. He has invited me to respond to you. There does seem to be some confusion with Zero hour contracts and being self employed. A zero hour contract is still a contract of employment whilst it is in operation, hence the usual terms about obeying reasonable instructions from a manager (ie being asked to attend to work) apply . She can say no of course but if she does, it is unlikely that any further hours would be forthcoming. Zero hours contracts can be beneficial to both parties but they can be made to favour the employer as seems to be happening with your daughter. I hope that helps but please get back in touch if you need any further assistance. Best wishes Neil Coombes, Solicitor

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by mark sanders http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-93 mark sanders Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:37:15 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-93 HI my daughter has been taken on by a hotel chain on a zhc with the promise of a full time contract at en dof probationary period. In the meantime 1 full time and 1 part time worker have been employed on 37.5 and 24 hrs resectively (not advertised posts) . Now they say she needs to stay on ZHC and although she has had regular 37.5hrs per week over 10 weks she is now only getting 2 shifts . A major drawback in my opinion. Does she have to work the hours they offer as from a post above it looks like she can say no HI
my daughter has been taken on by a hotel chain on a zhc with the promise of a full time contract at en dof probationary period. In the meantime 1 full time and 1 part time worker have been employed on 37.5 and 24 hrs resectively (not advertised posts) . Now they say she needs to stay on ZHC and although she has had regular 37.5hrs per week over 10 weks she is now only getting 2 shifts . A major drawback in my opinion. Does she have to work the hours they offer as from a post above it looks like she can say no

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by managementaccountingservices http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-81 managementaccountingservices Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:14:25 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-81 Whilst I'm sure there are businesses around that use ZHC's just for their own benefit, without consideration of the employee, I have to disagree with some of your comments. I have good practical experience of seeing these contracts used for the benefit of both parties. In an earlier comment I mentioned a plumber who was employing staff on ZHC's because he couldn't guarantee them full time work. ZHC's have allowed him to increase the size of his business. His employees are very close to becoming full time. In my opinion, his business, and their employment status wouldn't have been secured so quickly had he not had the benefit of ZHC's. Likewise, another correspondent discussed that ZHC's would be ideal for her... if only she could pursuade an employer to use them. Whilst I’m sure there are businesses around that use ZHC’s just for their own benefit, without consideration of the employee, I have to disagree with some of your comments.

I have good practical experience of seeing these contracts used for the benefit of both parties.

In an earlier comment I mentioned a plumber who was employing staff on ZHC’s because he couldn’t guarantee them full time work.

ZHC’s have allowed him to increase the size of his business. His employees are very close to becoming full time. In my opinion, his business, and their employment status wouldn’t have been secured so quickly had he not had the benefit of ZHC’s.

Likewise, another correspondent discussed that ZHC’s would be ideal for her… if only she could pursuade an employer to use them.

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by John http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-80 John Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:28:34 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-80 Just come across these and speaking from an employee's viewpoint, it's a rubbish deal. Of course the employer is having their cake and eating it (or wanting to) but in the real world, it's a two way street. No employee in their right mind would buy this one-sided deal. If you cannot offer a contract of even just a few part time hours then your a rubbish business to be avoided at all costs. That's how it appears to the employee. I've also run businesses in the past and these underhand tactics come back and bite you! Just come across these and speaking from an employee’s viewpoint, it’s a rubbish deal. Of course the employer is having their cake and eating it (or wanting to) but in the real world, it’s a two way street. No employee in their right mind would buy this one-sided deal. If you cannot offer a contract of even just a few part time hours then your a rubbish business to be avoided at all costs. That’s how it appears to the employee. I’ve also run businesses in the past and these underhand tactics come back and bite you!

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by managementaccountingservices http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-73 managementaccountingservices Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:43:24 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-73 Thanks for your comment Sandie. I think both employees and employers need to learn the benefits of zero hour contracts. Martin Thanks for your comment Sandie.

I think both employees and employers need to learn the benefits of zero hour contracts.

Martin

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by Sandie Morris http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-72 Sandie Morris Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:21:44 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-72 I am a management/systems accountant with a yound family and would love a part time or zero hours contract, but can't find any employers who are interested. It amazes me that no one seems to want an employee who will come in for a few days at monthend, or other busy times without needing regular hours. Maybe it isn't just employees who need convincing! I am a management/systems accountant with a yound family and would love a part time or zero hours contract, but can’t find any employers who are interested.
It amazes me that no one seems to want an employee who will come in for a few days at monthend, or other busy times without needing regular hours.
Maybe it isn’t just employees who need convincing!

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by managementaccountingservices http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-45 managementaccountingservices Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:11:17 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-45 Hi Karen, Another very good example where and how ZHC's can be implemented. As one of the previous posters mentions, these contracts benefit both parties, but from what you're saying it seems that more work is needed to ensure the employees understand just how this is the case. Martin Hi Karen,

Another very good example where and how ZHC’s can be implemented.

As one of the previous posters mentions, these contracts benefit both parties, but from what you’re saying it seems that more work is needed to ensure the employees understand just how this is the case.

Martin

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by Karen Hague http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-44 Karen Hague Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:50:14 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-44 Hi We've also found the 'zero' hours contract useful for having staff to cover absences for classroom assistants in an independent special school that is also a registered charity. It very much depends on the circumstances of the person though, I find that people in general mistrust it. Maybe this will change as people become more flexible in their approach to finding work. Of course, the disadvantage is that you cannot rely on that person being available for work exactly when you need them! Hi

We’ve also found the ‘zero’ hours contract useful for having staff to cover absences for classroom assistants in an independent special school that is also a registered charity. It very much depends on the circumstances of the person though, I find that people in general mistrust it. Maybe this will change as people become more flexible in their approach to finding work. Of course, the disadvantage is that you cannot rely on that person being available for work exactly when you need them!

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by managementaccountingservices http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-43 managementaccountingservices Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:23:08 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-43 Thank you for your excellent point that ZHC are for the benefit of both parties, as well as the whole economy. They're ideal for today's climate, which is why we need to educate more employers (and employees) about their existence. Also, a nice reminder of how they were previously interpreted - thank you. Martin Thank you for your excellent point that ZHC are for the benefit of both parties, as well as the whole economy. They’re ideal for today’s climate, which is why we need to educate more employers (and employees) about their existence.

Also, a nice reminder of how they were previously interpreted – thank you.

Martin

]]> Comment on What is a “zero hours” contract? by managementaccountingservices http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/2011/02/08/what-is-a-%e2%80%9czero-hours%e2%80%9d-contract/#comment-42 managementaccountingservices Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:19:06 +0000 http://www.mymanagementaccountant.co.uk/?p=271#comment-42 Thanks for your comments Max, and some excellent points made. Like you, I've come across Zero Hour Contracts within the construction industry, and I most recently spoke about them with a plumber who has is beginning to generate pipeline work (no pun intended!), and wants to grow his business... but isn't yet at the stage to offer someone a FT contract. Your point about they work to service your telemarketing campaigns, and particualry how they benefit someone with a disability are really interesting. Martin Martin Thanks for your comments Max, and some excellent points made.

Like you, I’ve come across Zero Hour Contracts within the construction industry, and I most recently spoke about them with a plumber who has is beginning to generate pipeline work (no pun intended!), and wants to grow his business… but isn’t yet at the stage to offer someone a FT contract.

Your point about they work to service your telemarketing campaigns, and particualry how they benefit someone with a disability are really interesting.

Martin

Martin

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