Two-thirds of employers back the introduction of a new right for agency workers and zero-hours contract workers to request a stable contract, according to survey data from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The right to request a stable contract potentially allows agency workers to request a permanent contract of employment and zero-hours contract workers to request regular or guaranteed hours.

The CIPD published its survey findings in response to the government’s ‘Good Work Plan’. The plan was a response to last year’s Taylor Review on modern employment practices.

On agency workers, the report stated, “we believe as well as a right to equal pay, agency workers should have the right to request a direct employment contract with the hirer when they have been engaged with the same hirer for 12 months.”

The plan also included a right for all workers, not just zero-hour and agency, to request a more stable contract.

The CIPD stated that it believes the right to request a stable contract should be available to people who have 12 months of continuous service with one organisation, a suggestion supported by 41% of employers, per its survey data. Meanwhile, 32% of respondents supported a period of at least six months and 20% were in favour of at least three months.