Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas MHK has pledged to look into claims that some people working for government on zero hours terms have not been given the written details of their conditions.

Ann Corlett (Douglas Central) told the House of Keys this week that, despite Mr Thomas’s assurance to the contrary, there were instances where workers had not been given any terms in writing.

Mr Thomas said that if she passed on the details he would see which departments were involved and would take the matter further.

Mrs Corlett had earlier asked about whether those on zero-hours contracts received written details of their terms of employment.

Mr Thomas said that all government employees received written terms of employment, as required under law.

Flexibility

He added: ’Zero hours contracts include casual, bank, relief and supply positions and provide departments with the flexibility to cover operational need, often at short notice.

’Those who work on a zero hours basis in Isle of Man Government are not obligated to be available for or to accept work, nor is government obliged to provide it and such workers would not be classed as "employees" under employment law.

’However, they are issued with a statement of written particulars outlining the terms of that engagement, within which the terms are made explicit.’

The exception, he explained, was in the case of supply teachers.

They are invited to join a supply list each year, but there was ’no mutuality of obligation or requirement to be available’.

Even then, the terms were outlined in a letter to those concerned.