Guaranteed Hours Request Letter Template & Generator

If you need to formally request a move to guaranteed hours after a regular working pattern, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong guaranteed hours request should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• Set out the consistent working pattern over the preceding period
• Request a move to a guaranteed hours contract reflecting the regular pattern
• Reference any right under the Employment Relations Act 2023 if applicable
• Request a formal meeting to discuss

Your right to request guaranteed hours after a regular pattern

Following recent Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms, zero-hours and low-hours workers who've worked a regular pattern over a defined reference period gain the right to be offered a guaranteed hours contract reflecting that pattern — shifting responsibility onto employers to offer stability rather than leaving workers to request it indefinitely.

What to include before you send it

• Confirmation of your actual worked hours pattern over the relevant reference period
• A clear request for guaranteed hours reflecting this regular pattern
• Reference to your rights under the relevant zero-hours reforms
• A request for a response within a reasonable timeframe

Why this reform represents a genuine shift in approach

Previously, achieving contractual stability from zero-hours work relied heavily on individual negotiation or established case law around implied terms — this reform creates a clearer, more direct statutory right, making it considerably easier to assert entitlement to guaranteed hours where a genuine regular pattern exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a sufficiently "regular" pattern to qualify?
This is defined by reference to a specific qualifying period set out in the regulations — it's worth checking the current specific thresholds, since these were introduced as part of ongoing 2025 reforms.

Can I decline a guaranteed hours offer if I actually prefer the flexibility of zero hours?
Yes — this is a right to be offered guaranteed hours, not an obligation to accept them if you'd genuinely prefer to remain on a flexible zero-hours arrangement.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.