Substantial and growing groups of people in the UK work under atypical sets of terms and conditions, for example on casual, zero-hours or agency contracts. As a rule, such staff are usually classed as ‘workers’ rather than ‘employees’ because they are not deemed to be working under ‘contracts of service’. As a result, many important employment rights are denied to them (see Table 22.1).

What do you think are the main arguments for and against extending full employment rights to these groups? Where do you stand in this debate, and why?

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Table 22.1 Access to statutory employment rights Employment rights which apply to all workers Equal pay for equal work Right not to be discriminated against on grounds of sex, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, age or disability Right not to have unauthorised deductions from pay Basic health and safety rights Minimum wage Working time regulations Data protection rights Time off to care for dependants Part-time workers regulations Twelve months' maternity leave Agency workers regulations Employment rights which apply only to employees Right to a statement of terms and conditions of employment Right to an itemised pay statement Statutory Sick Pay Time off for public duties Nine months' maternity pay Trade union rights Minimum notice periods Fixed-term employment regulations Parental leave (after one year's service) Unfair dismissal rights (after two years' service)