Free Zero Hours Contract Template UK (2025)

A) Running a business with flexible staffing needs should not put you at legal risk. If you rely on casual or shift-based workers, a clear, compliant Zero Hours Employment Contract is essential.

B) This free, solicitor-drafted UK Zero Hours Contract Template helps employers stay compliant in 2025 while maintaining flexibility for seasonal, part-time and ad-hoc roles.

C) The template is drafted for use in England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and reflects current rules on working time, holiday pay and exclusivity clauses.

What is a Zero Hours Contract?

D) A zero hours contract is a flexible employment arrangement where you are not obliged to offer work and the worker is not obliged to accept it, but when work is done, full statutory rights apply.

✔ Work is offered when needed
✔ Workers may accept or decline shifts
✔ Hours can vary from week to week
✔ Statutory rights apply while working

E) This type of contract is widely used in hospitality, delivery, care, retail, events and other sectors where demand varies.

Why Avoid Random Download Templates?

F) Poorly drafted zero hours contracts can create serious legal and financial risk. Common problems include:

✔ Wrong holiday pay wording leading to back-pay claims
✔ Incorrect status wording causing unfair dismissal risk
✔ Illegal exclusivity clauses breaching legislation
✔ Missing procedures for discipline and grievance

G) A single claim can easily exceed £20,000 once legal costs, compensation and management time are taken into account.

H) This template is drafted to reduce those risks and can be adapted for your business with minimal changes.

What’s Included in the 2025 Zero Hours Contract Template?

I) The template includes detailed clauses tailored specifically to zero hours arrangements, such as:

✔ Status wording to reduce disputes over employee vs worker status
✔ Holiday pay using 12.07% accrual and 52-week reference period
✔ Working Time Regulation protections and opt-out where appropriate
✔ Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and family leave references where applicable
✔ ACAS-aligned discipline and grievance procedures
✔ UK GDPR-compliant employee privacy wording
✔ Health & Safety responsibilities and conduct rules

J) The document is fully editable, has no embedded branding, and is designed to be ready for signature once you have inserted your business details.

Download Your Free Zero Hours Contract

K) You receive both Word and PDF formats so you can edit, share and sign in the way that suits your business.

✔ Instant Word and PDF files
✔ No credit card required
✔ No branding inside the contract
✔ Employer-ready legal format

Download Zero Hours Contract (Word & PDF)

Prefer a Guided, Automatic Version?

L) If you would rather not edit every clause yourself, you can use the AI Contract Builder to generate a zero hours contract based on your answers to a series of simple questions.

Register for a free account on Dogetlawyer.com
Select a £1 or £5 pack from the upgrade options
Answer questions about role, hours, location and pay
Download a tailored zero hours contract in minutes

Launch AI Contract Builder

AI Lawyer & AI Tax — Employment Law Help

M) For further questions about zero hours holiday pay, working time rules, exclusivity bans or long-service rights, you can use the AI Lawyer & AI Tax assistant for quick, plain-English guidance.

Open AI Lawyer & AI Tax — Employment Law

Speak to a Human Solicitor (Telelegal)

Common Questions About Zero Hours Contracts

N) Below are some of the most frequent questions UK employers ask about zero hours arrangements.

Can a worker refuse shifts?
Yes. Zero hours staff must be free to accept or decline offers of work.
Do zero hours staff get paid holidays?
Yes. Holiday pay accrues as they work and should be calculated correctly.
Can they work for another employer?
Yes. Exclusivity clauses for zero hours contracts are generally banned.
Do they qualify for SSP?
They may qualify if they meet the legal eligibility criteria on earnings and absence length.
Do unfair dismissal rights apply?
Yes. After two years of continuous service, zero hours staff may gain unfair dismissal protection.
Can employers cancel shifts?
Yes, but reasonable notice and fair treatment are important to avoid disputes.
Are breaks paid?
Breaks are not automatically paid; this depends on the contractual wording.
Are bank holidays extra?
Not automatically. Whether they are included depends on how holiday entitlement is expressed in the contract.
Are right-to-work checks required?
Yes. Right-to-work checks are mandatory before any work begins.
Are workers or employees used in this template?
The template is drafted on an employee basis to provide clearer protection and reduce status disputes.

Who Should Use This Template?

O) This zero hours contract is particularly suitable for:

✔ Hospitality and event staffing businesses
✔ Retail and seasonal workforces
✔ Home care and support providers
✔ Student, evening and weekend roles
✔ Any business facing fluctuating demand

P) Used correctly, zero hours contracts can offer both flexibility and legal compliance, supporting smarter workforce planning.

Legal Information

Q) This page provides general guidance on zero hours contracts in the UK and is not tailored legal advice. For complex issues such as redundancy, TUPE, performance management or large-scale changes to contracts, you should seek advice from a qualified employment solicitor.