Leisure Sector Update: Zero-hours and low-hours for contracts are firmly in the Government's sights

Welcome to the Harrison Drury Leisure Sector Newsletter. Your regular update on legal developments across the leisure, hospitality and tourism sector. Our aim is to keep you informed, prepared and ahead of the curve with insights tailored to support you and your business.

Zero-hours and low-hours for contracts are firmly in the Government’s sights.

New guaranteed hours reforms are expected to require employers to offer workers contracts reflecting the hours they regularly work and not just the hours written into their current contract.  Also being proposed are new rules on shift notice and cancellation payments. The consultation on these important reforms closes on 25 August 2026, with associated changes coming into force in 2027.

For hospitality employers, this could materially affect rota planning, casual staffing models and short-notice shift changes. Regular working patterns may also trigger a right to guaranteed hours.

Employers should start reviewing zero-hours, casual and low-hours arrangements now, particularly where staff regularly work beyond their stated contractual hours.

Click here to read the full update from our experts.

Click here to contribute to the consultation.

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