§ Mr. Wainwrightasked the Paymaster General what safeguards are enjoyed by part-time employees, who have signed variable contracts, which ensure (a) full credit for their national insurance contributions, (b) full national 52W insurance contributions from their employer, (c) that they are covered by the normal redundancy rates and (d) that they can work additional hours and for another employer.
§ Mr. LeeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is responsible for arrangements concerning national insurance contributions. Entitlement to redundancy payments depends on the employee's length of continuous service and weekly hours of work with each separate employer. The length of continuous service required is two years where the contract of employment provides for at least 16 hours work a week and five years where it provides for at least eight hours a week. If an employee's contractual hours are reduced below 16 but not below eight hours weekly, for not more than 26 weeks, but then raised to 16 hours again, those weeks of reduced hours count for continuous service.
Subject to the agreement of the employer, employees are free to work for more than one employer. The number of hours worked for each would be a matter for negotiation. Part-time employees who work for more than one employer are entitled to a payment from whichever employer makes them redundant, subject to these qualifying conditions.