MOST zero-hours contract workers want regular hours as many have shifts cancelled regularly without compensation and feel pressure to go to work unwell, a new TUC poll reveals today.

The survey suggested that 84 per cent of Britain’s one million workers on the highly insecure contracts want regular hours of work, compared with 14 per cent who don’t.

Three in four of those polled also said they have experienced difficulty meeting living expenses due to not being offered enough hours.

Two-thirds of people employed on them are also seeking extra work, with 58 per cent of their requests for more hours being refused by employers.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Most people on zero-hours contracts would much rather have the security of guaranteed hours and to be able to plan their lives properly. 

“The so-called ‘flexibility’ these contracts offer is hugely one-sided with shifts regularly cancelled at the last minute — often without any compensation.

“I would challenge any business leader or politician to try and survive on a zero-hours contract, not knowing from week to week how much work they will have.

“The government’s forthcoming Employment Rights Bill will help create a level playing field — and stop good employers from being undercut by the bad.”

The union federation’s research also revealed the one-sided nature of zero-hours contracts, with 52 per cent of workers reporting having had shifts cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Two-thirds said they received no compensation for cancelled shifts and more than three-quarters said they felt they had to work despite feeling unwell.

Many zero-hours contract workers also struggled to balance caring responsibilities and family commitments with their work.

Half of those polled said they have experienced difficulty managing childcare with their work, rising to two-thirds for mothers on zero-hours contracts.

Three in four said they have missed out on a planned family or social event due to needing to work.

Financial Fairness Trust chief executive Mubin Haq said: “The major problem with zero-hours contracts is the insecurity they cause and the knock-on effects on people’s daily lives.

“From participating in family and social events, to balancing caring responsibilities, those on zero-hours contracts report greater challenges.”

Zero-Hours Justice campaign founder Julian Richer added: “It is time to rid the economy of these contracts so that every worker who wants a secure contract can have one.”