Ms Annie Hoey:

We were talking about this issue earlier and it is correct to say students look for flexibility, although this should not be mistaken for a willingness to be exploited. There is flexibility in other sectors, too, as people cannot work a particular week because of caring responsibilities or something has happened in the family. Legislation should not allow an employer to be dragged off if someone cannot work in a certain week. I do not think the banded hours legislation would affect the provision of a guaranteed minimum number of hours. It is not a maximum but a minimum and I do not see the Bill causing huge inflexibility, whereas guaranteeing a small minimum is very important in forward planning, etc. There should never be a situation where, if a person cannot work for one week, the employer is dragged off.