Dundee and Angus College rejects zero-hours contracts criticism

Dundee and Angus College has rejected criticism of its treatment of zero-hours contract workers.

The EIS teachers and lecturers union carried out a survey of Scottish colleges and claimed that D&AC it was one of several that were “seeking to avoid their responsibilities as employers” by failing to pay occupational sick leave and paternity or maternity benefits.

But a college spokesman said: “We are surprised that Dundee and Angus College is mentioned in connection to zero-hour contracts as we do not use these for any of our teaching posts.

“The college responded to the EIS’s freedom of information request explaining its use of casual contracts for a relatively small number of roles where the work is ad-hoc and variable in nature, such as art models and ushers for theatre performances.

“The college sector needs flexibility and, at the same time, many of the college’s casual employees enjoy the flexibility that this work offers.”

He added that the college went “well beyond its legal requirements” as an employer.