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Employing all-round scholars on fair terms would obviate the need for unfair zero-hours deals, argues Philip Roddis.
I only learned I was on a zero-hours contract when, having taught some 400 hours a year in various roles at Sheffield Hallam University, I realised that the figure had been reduced to about 50. No manager even had the courtesy to inform me.
I tried to take the university to an employment tribunal, but the nature of the contract I had signed persuaded the judge to strike out my claim. The human resources manager, who had described the contract as "a flexible teaching resource" allowing Sheffield Hallam "to respond to fluctuation in student numbers", strode out triumphantly, allowing the door to shut loudly behind him.
I've known happier moments.
Call me a fool, but I am hardly alone in not reading the small print: former colleagues also thought they were signing up to more typical contracts.
Would I have signed it had I known? Probably. After all, in today's world, options are limited.
But I would have...