A campaigning MP is calling for an end to ‘shift shafting’.

The call follows a survey by Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders. The former employment lawyer carried out a survey of restaurant chains asking questions relating to employment policies and received responses from groups who between them operate almost 9,000 outlets.

He says his research has revealed that the approach of cancelling shifts without notice is widespread and is demanding an end to the practice which has been dubbed ‘shift shafting.’

Ninety per cent of those which responded also confirmed that they do not pay the National Living Wage.

Four chains (Spud u Like, Greene King, Five Guys and Yo Sushi) confirmed they use zero-hours contracts while the Jamie Oliver Group said it had a policy of taking 2% of a waiter’s table sales from their tips at the end of each shift. None of the chains which responded had a collective bargaining agreement with a trade union.

Mr Madders is concerned the practice of managers cancelling shifts with very little notice, or even during the shift without compensation, is common.

Justin Madders (Lab) in the House of Commons
Justin Madders (Lab) in the House of Commons

While some of the chains insist that they only ever require ‘volunteers’ to leave, he says he has heard first-hand from a number of employees who are given no choice and are simply told by managers that their shift will be ended early if the outlet is less busy that expected.

Of the chains surveyed only a quarter ruled out cancelling shifts without notice. The MP says this can lead to employees arriving at work only to be told they are not needed or being sent home before even earning enough to cover their travel expenses.

What the chains say

Whitbread, which operates Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, Taybarns and Costa Coffee said: “Standard practice within Whitbread restaurants is to ask all team members whether anyone wants to go home and most times there will be a volunteer.”

Greene King, which operates around 1,600 pubs said: “In the unlikely event of this [the pub being not busy] occurring mid-shift, we would recommend the staff member goes home.”

Byron Burger said: “Normally we would give at least 24 hours’ notice of a cancellation of shift but there are rare occasions where we might cancel a shift on the day if required.”

Byron burger say they always try to give 24-hours notice
Byron burger say they always try to give 24-hours notice

The survey revealed some chains offer good practice and do not send staff home, instead asking them to undertake alternative duties.

EAT said: “The times when we are overstaffed for demand are minimal. Should this occur then the teams simply utilise this time to do extra training, get the shop sparkling clean or spend more time than they could usually afford chatting to our customers. We do not cancel shifts.”

Commenting, Mr Madders said: “It is a scandal that some staff turn up for work only to be sent home at the beginning of their shift or after just a couple of hours, without earning enough to even cover their travel expenses.

“Nobody should leave for work and come home out of pocket but this is happening across the country and is currently completely legal.

‘Shift shafting’ exploits some of the lowest paid workers and needs to be stopped, either through a voluntary agreement by the industry or through legislation. “That some of the chains also use zero hours contracts, or offer very low weekly contracted hours, makes the situation even worse.”

He emphasised: “While many of the chains I surveyed have a policy of only ever sending home staff by ‘mutual consent,’ the reality on the ground can be very different and staff have a very weak bargaining position when they are put under pressure by managers.”

What do you think about zero-hours contracts? Have you ever been 'shift shafted'? Let us know in the comments below