As the Government’s consultation on zero hour contracts is underway, Young Women’s Trust warns that reducing youth unemployment shouldn’t come at the cost of creating secure and dignified workplaces for all workers.
Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive at Young Women’s Trust, said:
“Creating more jobs for young people shouldn’t come at the expense of their financial, mental or emotional wellbeing. Zero-hours contracts can do more harm than good — especially for young women, who are more likely to be on them. We know that these contracts can push people further into poverty when the hours they’re given don’t cover the basics; exhaustion when they feel they have to say yes to every shift; and greater exposure to harassment and abuse because they lack the security to speak out. These conditions can push young women out of work altogether which means they cycle straight back to unemployment. Basic security and dignity at work should never be the price of having a job.“