Abstract

This policy and practice-oriented paper presents a worker-centred framework for change aimed at transforming the culture of employment and working relations for student-workers. Little is known about working lives of students who take on zero-hour contract jobs in sectors such as hospitality and their distinctive worker needs are often overlooked by employers, policymakers, unions and universities.

The paper draws on findings from interviews with student-workers on zero-hour contracts in hospitality. It argues that recognising and reframing the contribution of students as central to the functioning of the hospitality, can help not only improve the working conditions for student-workers but can also help the hospitality sector address post-Brexit and pandemic-related labour and skills shortages, poor staff retention as well as the negative image of the industry.