An issue highlighted within the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices was around those in flexible forms of work, termed ‘one-sided flexibility’. This reflects the way that some employers use the flexibility on offer in the labour market, to transfer risk to, and thus exert control over workers.

As found by the Low Pay Commission, some employers exert their control to offer or cancel working hours at short notice, leading to issues around income insecurity, unpredictability and an inability for workers to exert their rights.

The Low Pay Commission have recommended Government intervention to address this imbalance of power amongst egregious employers and vulnerable workers. We are consulting on how to effectively do this.