Variable Hours

Contracts often require a degree of flexibility and in some cases it will be necessary to include variable hours in a contract.

The below notes will assist in deciding when and how to incorporate variable hours into your contracts.

• Permanent Contracts, Fixed Term Contracts and Shareholder Agreements

“Variable hours” contracts can be used for posts for which there is an on-going requirement but the actual numbers are likely to vary over time. Some variable contracts may offer a minimum or maximum amount of weekly/monthly hours.

Possible wording where there are fixed hours:
“Your normal working [week/month] will comprise of [X] hours. These hours will be organised according to a rota which The Company will notify you on a [weekly/monthly] basis. “

Where workloads fluctuate, there may be occasions were there may be no requirement for work to be carried out, in which case hours will be reduced to zero. Possible wording in such an instance would be:
“Your normal working hours are variable. Your working week will be organised according to a rota. You will be notified of hours on a [weekly/monthly] basis. The Company does not guarantee to provide you with a minimum or maximum number of hours.”**

**Employers selecting this second option need to consider whether they are employing an employee or whether a casual contract would be more appropriate. For further details on contract types click here.

• Zero Hours / Casual Contracts

Where hours differ from assignment to assignment the below wording is suggested:
“Your working hours will vary from assignment to assignment. You will be notified of the working hours at the beginning of each assignment.”