zero-hour contract

[/ˈzɪroʊ ˈaʊər ˈkɑːntrækt/]
nounpl: zero-hour contracts
contrato zero-hora
1. An employment contract that does not guarantee a minimum number of working hours and where the employer is not obligated to provide work, while the employee is expected to be available when called upon
Many retail workers are hired on zero-hour contracts, meaning they have no guaranteed hours per week.
Muitos trabalhadores do varejo são contratados com contratos zero-hora, o que significa que não têm horas garantidas por semana.
2. A flexible work arrangement where compensation is based solely on hours actually worked, with no minimum employment commitment
The company uses zero-hour contracts to manage fluctuating demand during peak seasons.
A empresa usa contratos zero-hora para gerenciar a demanda flutuante durante as estações de pico.
Zero-hour contracts are particularly prevalent in the UK and are increasingly used in Brazil and the USA as part of the gig economy expansion. They are controversial due to labor rights concerns, as workers lack job security, benefits, and predictable income. In Brazil, similar arrangements exist but are often viewed as precarious work (trabalho precário). The practice has sparked significant debate among labor unions and worker advocacy groups.
NYC Slang
gig work agreement
Synonyms / Sinônimos
on-call contractflexible contractcasual contractvariable hours contract
Antonyms / Antônimos
permanent contractfull-time contractguaranteed hours contractfixed-hour contract

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
contrato zero-hora
Literal translation, gaining usage in labor discussions as precarious work increases
Portugal
contrato de zero horas
Also called 'contrato de trabalho intermitente' in Portuguese labor law contexts
UK English
zero-hours contract
Most common in British employment law and practice; less regulated than in some EU countries

Related Words

gig economyflexible employmentcasual laborpart-time workon-demand work

Related Idioms & Phrases

no guaranteed hours
at the employer's discretion
on-call basis
work when needed
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