Young adults who are employed on zero-hours contracts are less likely to be in good health, and are at higher risk of poor mental health than workers with stable jobs, according to research from London-based UCL Institute of Education.

Researchers from the institute’s Centre for Longitudinal Studies analysed data on approximately 7,700 people living in England who were born in 1989-90 and are being followed by a study called Next Steps.

The study found that at age 25, people on zero-hours contracts and those who were unemployed were less likely to report feeling healthy, compared to those in more secure employment. Those with zero-hours contracts were also at greater risk of reporting symptoms of psychological distress. However, young adults who were unemployed were more than twice as likely to suffer from mental ill health compared to those who were in work. Moreover, although shift workers were at no greater risk than those working regular hours to be in poor health, they were more likely to have psychological problems.

“There is evidence that those with a precarious relationship to the labour market, such as shift workers, zero-hours contract holders and the unemployed are more at risk of poor mental health and physical health than their peers,” Morag Henderson, author of the report, stated.

“One explanation for these findings is that financial stress or the stress associated with having a low-status job increases the risk of poor mental health. It may also be that the worry of having no work or irregular work triggers physical symptoms of stress, including chest pain, headaches and muscle tension.”

Two-thirds of 25-year-olds were employed full-time, while 12% were employed part-time, and 7% were unemployed. Meanwhile, 23% worked shifts, and 5% were on zero-hours contracts. 

According to the Resolution Foundation, the number of people on zero-hours contracts (‘ZHC’s) in the UK has hit a record high of 910,000.