8 June 2011

New entitlements for Agency Workers from 1 October 2011

New entitlements for Agency Workers from 1 October 2011

The Agency Workers Regulations were laid before Parliament in January 2010 and will be implemented in to UK Employment Law by 1 October 2011.

The regulations will require that all agency workers recruited through an employment agency will be entitled to the same terms and conditions as employees

recruited on a permanent basis by the 'Hirer'. The 'Hirer' is you, the employer.

Some of these rights take effect from DAY 1. Others take effect after 12 WEEKS and you therefore need to be aware of the changes you will need to make to ensure your company is compliant with the new legislation.

If a 'Hirer' breaches the Regulations, compensation of up to £5,000 may be payable.

From 1 October 2011

 if you recruit temporary staff through an agency, you will need ; 

• to provide the agency with details of your company's terms and conditions to ensure that the agency worker receives correct and equal treatment during their assignment with your company.
• to ensure that all agency workers receive equal treatment to all other workers in the company after 12 weeks in the same job with your company. This includes, pay, annual leave entitlement, overtime and maternity rights.
• to make sure all agency workers have access to all of the company's facilities from Day 1 of their attachment to you .This includes, canteen, childcare and information on all job your vacancies.

For more information go to : http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/a/11-949-agency-workers-regulations-guidance.pdf