zerohours

Zerohours, usually written zerohours or zero-hours, is a term used in discussions of work time and scheduling to describe arrangements in which an employer provides no guaranteed hours to an employee. The most common reference is to zero-hours contracts, a form of employment agreement in which the employer is not obligated to offer a minimum number of hours and the employee is typically available on call. This arrangement can lead to variable income and uncertain schedules for workers, while offering staffing flexibility for employers.

In policy and labor economics, zerohours contracts are controversial and subject to regulatory debate in several jurisdictions. Critics highlight income insecurity and lack of predictable work, while proponents argue that such arrangements provide adaptability to fluctuating demand and individual choice. The term is also used more broadly in discussions of flexible time and on-demand platforms, where tasks can be undertaken with little advance notice and hours may vary widely. The spelling varies, with zerohours, zero-hours, and zero hour forms all in use, and it can appear in phrases such as zerohours contract or zerohours arrangement.

Related topics include zero-hours contracts, on-demand work, and the gig economy.