The short answer
A zero-hours contract does not promise a fixed weekly schedule, but rules about calls, pay, illness and established work patterns can still protect you. Check the applicable CAO and whether wage-payment exclusions are valid for the relevant period. A recruiter’s promise of “usually 40 hours” is not the same as a written guarantee.
No fixed hours does not mean no rights
A zero-hours contract does not promise a fixed weekly schedule, but rules about calls, pay, illness and established work patterns can still protect you. Check the applicable CAO and whether wage-payment exclusions are valid for the relevant period. A recruiter’s promise of “usually 40 hours” is not the same as a written guarantee.
Keep the history of actual work
Save calls, cancelled shifts, start and finish times and payslips. A regular pattern and the duration of employment can become relevant when discussing an entitlement to hours. After 12 months an employer generally has to offer fixed hours based on the previous average, subject to the applicable rules. Agency arrangements and statutory exceptions need a specific check.
What to do next
- Read the hours clause and identify the CAO.
- Keep a month-by-month record of worked and cancelled hours.
- Request an explanation when a regular schedule is suddenly reduced.
You have worked three shifts every week for months, then receive no shifts. Keep the history and ask for advice about the established pattern instead of assuming the zero-hours label settles the issue.
Questions people ask
Am I guaranteed 40 hours if that was advertised?
Not necessarily. Check the signed hours clause and keep the advertisement or messages if they conflict with the contract.
Can every shift be cancelled without payment?
No. Cancellation timing and the applicable call rules can preserve a right to pay. Save when the call and cancellation were sent.
Do I have sick-pay rights?
Possibly. The call period, contract and established working pattern matter. Use the official on-call sickness guidance for your situation.
Does working regular hours matter?
Yes. Keep evidence of the actual pattern and seek advice if your hours are abruptly cut.
Can the contract stay flexible forever?
There are rules on offering fixed hours and limits or exceptions depending on the arrangement. Review the current rules and CAO rather than relying on the label alone.
Sources
Last verified: 4 October 2026. Sources are in Dutch or English.