An exploratory study, investigating the impacts zero-hour contracts have on the academic population within the higher education sector in Scotland
Abstract
The primary aim of this research is to undertake a critical investigation on the use of zerohour
contracts within a Scottish higher education institution by exploring the impact zerohour
contracts have on academic employees and students. This study will explore the
use of zero-hour contracts from a management perspective and identify the reasons they
are used. It will also look to understand the impacts zero-hour contracts have on
academic employees and to conclude, will evaluate the outcome zero-hour contracts
have on the students learning experience.
The traditional casualisation of these contracts forms the focus for the research due to a
general shortage of literature surrounding zero-hour contracts in the higher education
sector. Furthermore, accessing a sizable population of academic employees who are
employed on a zero-hour contract may have proved difficult. The research relies on
qualitative, semi-structured interviews as the instrument for data collection in which
organisational employees were questioned on the impacts zero-hour contracts have on
academic employees and students. All participants in this study were employed in the
chosen higher education institution and there was an equal mix of full-time and part-time
employees, as a review of the literature on zero-hour contracts revealed that employees
were the key resource for this research study (Brinkley 2013).
The significant findings of the research revealed that the institution in question has zerohour
contracts under a family of part-time work, of which the employees studied had
varying levels of awareness. Furthermore, all participants within the study identified
negative impacts zero-hour contracts have on all stakeholders, and all participants also
recognised why such contracts can in opposition, be beneficial within the higher
education sector.