Zero-hours contracts made the headlines last month after it emerged that high-street shop Sports Direct employs 20,000 staff on zero-hours contracts.
An investigation by the Guardian revealed several other organisations that employ staff on such contracts, including Tate Enterprises Ltd. The deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has said the government is reviewing the issue.
Staff on zero-hours contracts are not guaranteed any hours of employment, and are paid for only the hours they work. In the UK, workers on these contracts receive the national minimum wage or more, but employers are not obliged by law to offer sick leave or holiday pay.
About 40% of retail and catering staff employed by Tate Enterprises Ltd, a subsidiary of the gallery, are on zero-hours contracts.
A spokeswoman for Tate said: “Zero-hours contracts enable Tate Enterprises Ltd to manage the changes in staffing levels that are inherent in retail and catering operations and give employees on these contracts the flexibility to agree mutually beneficial working hours.
"Within Tate Enterprises Ltd, staff on zero-hours contracts accrue holiday pay and are entitled to company sick pay.”
A news analysis looking at zero hours contracts will be published in the print and online edition of Museums Journal in September 2013.
Should museums employ staff on zero-hours contracts? Vote in the poll and have your say.
An investigation by the Guardian revealed several other organisations that employ staff on such contracts, including Tate Enterprises Ltd. The deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has said the government is reviewing the issue.
Staff on zero-hours contracts are not guaranteed any hours of employment, and are paid for only the hours they work. In the UK, workers on these contracts receive the national minimum wage or more, but employers are not obliged by law to offer sick leave or holiday pay.
About 40% of retail and catering staff employed by Tate Enterprises Ltd, a subsidiary of the gallery, are on zero-hours contracts.
A spokeswoman for Tate said: “Zero-hours contracts enable Tate Enterprises Ltd to manage the changes in staffing levels that are inherent in retail and catering operations and give employees on these contracts the flexibility to agree mutually beneficial working hours.
"Within Tate Enterprises Ltd, staff on zero-hours contracts accrue holiday pay and are entitled to company sick pay.”
A news analysis looking at zero hours contracts will be published in the print and online edition of Museums Journal in September 2013.
Should museums employ staff on zero-hours contracts? Vote in the poll and have your say.
