The evolving nature of atypical work arrangements is studied. A particular focus is placed on one such form of work relation: zero hour contracts (ZHCs). The paper uses existing secondary data and new survey data collected for the specific purpose of studying alternative work arrangements to describe the nature of ZHC work in the UK labour market. The interaction with labour market policy is explored, in the context of the 2016 introduction of the UK's National Living Wage. ZHC work is shown to be an important feature of today's work arrangements, and the wage cost shock induced by the new, higher minimum wage resulted in an increased use of ZHCs in the UK social care sector, and in low wage sectors more generally.

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28 June 2019

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Economic Policy 2019

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DOI: 10.1093/epolic/eiz008

https://academic.oup.com/economicpolicy/advance-article/doi/10.1093/epolic/eiz008/5524663

This Journal article is published under the centre's Labour programme.

This publication comes under the following theme: Labour market inequalities: Causes and cures