New rules banning exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts came into force on 26 May, 2015.  The ban means that employers cannot prevent hourly staff from working for another employer.

The new provisions were introduced under the last government and were driven by former Business Secretary, Vince Cable.  The ban is one of several provisions that were passed into law under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill.

Exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts prevented people from boosting their income in other ways when they had no guarantee of work, this now gives people the freedom to take other work opportunities if they arise.