28 August 2026
‘Work-life chaos’ caused by zero-hours contracts
A diary study by Work Foundation and the TUC showed the negative impact zero-hours contacts can have for workers.
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University conducted interviews and a week-long digital diary with nine workers who depend on zero-hours contracts for their income.
One of the key themes from the research was that work and income were unpredictable – with shifts cancelled or ended early, or working beyond shift end, sometimes for no additional pay.
The study also found that workers felt pressure and a lack of control, feeling they have to accept shifts to keep future work, being limited by childcare constraints, feeling instability and difficulties organising their lives due to the lack of certainty around work and feeling stress and worry.
While zero-hours contracts can offer flexibility, the study highlighted the impact of work not being predictable or guaranteed made the lives of participants chaotic and difficult for them to manage. It meant much of their time was spent looking for work and securing shifts, though they could change at the last minute. This particularly impacted workers who needed to organise childcare.
Read the Work Foundation report on zero-hours contracts.
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University conducted interviews and a week-long digital diary with nine workers who depend on zero-hours contracts for their income.
One of the key themes from the research was that work and income were unpredictable – with shifts cancelled or ended early, or working beyond shift end, sometimes for no additional pay.
The study also found that workers felt pressure and a lack of control, feeling they have to accept shifts to keep future work, being limited by childcare constraints, feeling instability and difficulties organising their lives due to the lack of certainty around work and feeling stress and worry.
While zero-hours contracts can offer flexibility, the study highlighted the impact of work not being predictable or guaranteed made the lives of participants chaotic and difficult for them to manage. It meant much of their time was spent looking for work and securing shifts, though they could change at the last minute. This particularly impacted workers who needed to organise childcare.
Read the Work Foundation report on zero-hours contracts.
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