The Agency Workers Directive will be implemented in the UK on 1 October 2011 through the Agency Workers Regulations 2010.

The purpose of the Directive is to provide temporary agency workers with equal treatment in terms of basic working and employment conditions as if they had been employed directly to do the same job. This could have major implications on the costs and use of agency workers.

Once they have completed the 12 week qualifying period, agency workers will be entitled to equal treatment relating to basic working and employment conditions, those being: pay; working hours; overtime; breaks; rest periods; holidays; and access to training and collective facilities, such as childcare. Equal treatment does not include pension provision and occupational sick pay, nor will the Regulations change the employment status of temporary agency workers.

If you employ agency workers and need guidance, you should take HR or legal advice. We can put you in touch with experts that will give a free initial review of your HR procedures, terms and conditions etc. Please call or contact us for details.