A plan to reduce the number of zero-hours contracts among care workers has been unveiled by the Welsh Government.
An eight-week consultation process has begun into proposals which aims to curb zero-hours contracts in the care sector, which include giving workers the choice to move onto a minimum-hours contract and tackle so-called ‘call-clipping’, where care time is affected by travel time.
Under the Welsh Government’s proposals, employers will need to offer workers in the domiciliary care sector on zero-hours contracts the choice of moving to a minimum-hours contract after three months of employment.
Measures to tackle ‘call-clipping’ have also been announced.
The plans would require employers to differentiate between travel time and actual care time, including taking into account the distance between visits and any potential traffic, with the aim of ensuring that the quality of care is not compromised.
Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, said:
“While some staff prefer zero-hours contracts, valuing the flexibility they can offer, for many the uncertainty and insecurity they pose can have a hugely detrimental impact on their lives. Crucially the plans we are putting out to consultation today will ensure employees have a choice. After three months of employment, they will be able to choose whether to move onto another zero-hours contract, or take up alternative contractual arrangements.
“The proposals I have unveiled today are not only intended to offer staff a fairer deal, but also to safeguard the quality of care and support people receive in their own homes.
“Research shows a link between the prevalence of zero-hours contracts and a reduced quality of care, due to issues around the continuity of care and communication between workers and those they support.
“Requiring providers to distinguish clearly between travel time and care time when arranging services, will also improve the experience of people needing care.
“Doing so will help tackle ‘call-clipping’, ensuring people’s care and support time is not eroded by travel time between visits.
“I encourage anybody with a view on these important issues to contribute to our consultation.”
Caerphilly AM, Hefin David, said: “The changes being consulted on will help employees in the care sector to have the stability of contracted hours. They will also help those who are being cared for by reducing staff turnover.
“These proposals are about fairness and once again show that this Welsh Labour Government are standing up for the many and listening to what employees in the sector are saying.”
“Requiring providers to distinguish clearly between travel time and care time when arranging services, will also improve the experience of people needing care. Doing so will help tackle ‘call-clipping’, ensuring people’s care and support time is not eroded by travel time between visits.”
“I encourage anybody with a view on these important issues to contribute to our consultation.”
The consultation is available at: https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016-workforce and will run for eight weeks, until Monday August 7.
A good move – but one that should be applied to all employers using zero hours contracts for staff,not jist those working in the care sector.
Stop this exploitation of workers by unscrupulous employer s.
That is true. Zero hour contracts are just the modern version of the 1930’s, hungry men waiting outside pithead or docks to see if there is any work tor that day. Unbelievably it is sometimes worse that even that. I have heard of employers contacting people and offering a set number of hours work. If the work is then completed or the counter is quieter than expected they are then sent home. Their pay stops at the time they are dismissed. The word for this is exploitation.
Yes,zero hours only benefit one group – the employers.
Sorry Richard on a different subject that you and john was talking about with the election look on you tube about millienal questions, its a good view
I would love to comment on these post but it looks like the snowflakes in charge are blocking my views
I had the same problem a week or so ago – Observer staff gave me a link to report it direct to them ( they said it was a glitch & couldn’t find a reason the posts were being blocked ),I’ll find the link and post it on here.
Both myself and Richard Williams have had problems with posts being blocked – but we’ll continue to campaign for Free Speech
Edward report the blocking via e-mail to:-
comments@caerphillyobserver.co.uk
Hi,
The system blocked your comment automatically because you included a video link. This is a protection against spam etc. For your information, there is just the one snowflake in charge 🙂
It has blocked comments about me complaining about it as well on the same discussion.