Describe your zero hours contract situation and get instant plain English guidance on your rights — holiday pay, sick pay, minimum wage and more. Checked against official sources.
↓ Try the Checker NowWorkers on zero hours contracts have the right to the National Minimum Wage for all hours worked, 5.6 weeks' paid holiday, and protection from unlawful deductions from wages. Exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts are banned — you cannot be prevented from working for other employers.
In England, Wales and Scotland, dismissal for breaching an exclusivity clause is automatically unfair from day one, with no qualifying period. A right to be offered guaranteed hours is in the Employment Rights Act 2025 but is not in force yet: it is due in 2027.
Key areas covered: zero hours contract, exclusivity ban, worker rights, holiday pay, guaranteed hours, minimum wage. Checked against official sources.
Any clause preventing you from working for another employer is legally unenforceable regardless of what your contract states — and you're also protected from any detriment or dismissal for working elsewhere despite such a clause, since the ban comes with real protection against retaliation for exercising this right.
For workers without fixed hours, holiday entitlement is generally calculated based on a percentage of hours worked in each pay period — the specific calculation method has evolved through recent legislation, so it's worth checking your employer is applying the current correct approach rather than an outdated one.
This checker gives you a plain English read on your specific situation, answered only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. No login needed, and your answer is generated instantly based on what you tell us.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. For employment issues, contact ACAS in England, Wales and Scotland (0300 123 1100) or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland (03300 555 300). For free general advice, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604). For urgent housing problems in England, Shelter can help on 0808 800 4444.
Further reading: our blog explains zero-hours contract rights in plain English.
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Describe your situation and we'll check your rights as a zero hours worker
Tip: Zero hours workers have many of the same rights as regular employees. Describe the specific issue — holiday pay, sick pay, or unfair treatment — for the clearest answer.
Include how long you have worked there, what happened, and what you need to know.
Free · Guidance only, not legal advice
Am I entitled to holiday pay on a zero hours contract?
Yes. Zero hours workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year. In England, Wales and Scotland it is calculated based on your average pay over the previous 52 weeks of work. Your employer cannot refuse holiday pay simply because you have no fixed hours.
Can my employer use an exclusivity clause on a zero hours contract?
No. In England, Wales and Scotland, exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts are unenforceable under the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015. Your employer cannot stop you from working for other employers.
Am I entitled to Statutory Sick Pay on a zero hours contract?
Yes. Since 6 April 2026 there is no minimum earnings level for Statutory Sick Pay, so zero hours workers can get it from their first day off sick. It is £123.25 a week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower.
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✉️ Generate My Letter Free →The checker answers only from the guide for the nation you choose, plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 24 September 2026.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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