Cathedrals respond to zero-hour contracts revelations

The practise of hiring workers on the basis they receive no guaranteed working hours came under a spotlight this week when the Archbishop of Canterbury suggested it was “evil”.

But revelations both Gloucester Cathedral (pictured above) and Norwich Cathedrals use such agreements prompted a call for Most Rev Justin Welby to “put his own house in order” before criticising other employers.

Norwich Cathedral (pictured) was seeking a refectory assistant in an online – which described the role as a “casual zero-hours post”.

The Dean of Norwich, Very Revd Jane Hedges, said: “At Norwich Cathedral, zero-hour contracts are given to those of our staff who choose them because it suits their lifestyle like, for example, students and people who are retired and want a flexible part-time job.

“We take the welfare and wellbeing of our staff very seriously.”

Zero-hour contracts have been criticised for offering staff poor job security and fewer benefits than other types of employment. Some workers prefer the extra flexibility such agreements provide.

Addressing the TUC Congress in Manchester on Wednesday, Archbishop Justin described the so-called gig economy and zero-hour contracts as “the reincarnation of an ancient evil”.

Gloucester Cathedral has been advertising for a porter to work on a zero-hour contact during the…