New regulations which affect the pay and rights of agency workers will have a big impact on employers in Swindon, says a leading employment lawyer.
Agency workers make up about 4% of the UK workforce and the new regulations - set to come into force in October – will give agency workers the same rights on basic working and employment conditions as those in equivalent permanent jobs.
Lawyer, Andrew Egan of Swindon law firm Charles Lucas & Marshall, says the regulations will apply to most workers who are provided by an agency to a hiring company.
"Even individuals who operate as individual contractors may be caught by the regulations unless the hirer can persuade an employment tribunal that those contractors are genuinely self-employed," he says.
Some rights will apply from day one of employment, such as access to childcare, canteens, transport and job vacancies. Other rights, such as pay and some benefits, will apply after the agency worker has been in the same job for 12 weeks, whether full or part time.
"The impact of the regulations will vary across industries," added Andrew. "Job sectors such as construction, education and healthcare are likely to face some of the biggest challenges.
"We would advise all users of agency workers to assess their staff resources now. There are measures an employer can take to mitigate or avoid the impact of the regulations.
"The most important step is to liaise with your employment agency now to check what they are proposing to do. How will this impact on the agency’s rates and how will liability be contracted between the agency and your business?"
Andrew Egan will be speaking about the new regulations at a joint seminar with Swindon employment agency Trak Employment Solutions on Wednesday July 13 at Liddington.
For further information contact Andrew Egan on 01793 511055 or andrew.egan@clmlaw.co.uk
