system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What exactly is a Zero Hour contract, and why is it causing such a split in the working community?

So many people seem to think they're either great, or the devil's work.... What exactly is all the fuss?
gpt
A zero-hour contract is one where the minimum hours you can be expected to work in a month is zero, but you still have to be available for work whenever the company needs you. You will not be compensated for being on call, only for the hours you have actually worked.

If you have an amicable relationship with the company then its can be a very flexible way of working. A lot of times though people are forced into them as they are the only job available, and the company can threaten to withhold further hours if you complain about safety or unpaid overtime.