| The Government has
introduced new Agency Worker Regulation (AWR)
changing the way businesses introduce new
staff on a short term basis. The Agency
Workers Directive came into force across
the UK on October 1 which will provide
temporary workers equal rights to
permanent workers following 12 weeks
working on an assignment.
Equal treatment applies to various
terms and conditions including those
related to pay, working hours, overtime,
holidays, rest periods, access to
vacancies and to other facilities such as
car parking and canteens.
It does not include, however, pension
provision and occupational sick pay, nor
will the regulations change the employment
status of temporary agency workers.
According to the regulations, a break
of more than six weeks between assignments
will reset the qualifying period.
However breaks between assignments due
to a number of specified reasons, such as
illness, maternity or pre-determined
closure periods (e.g. school closures
during holidays) will not break the
qualifying period.
LINK:
New law to bring major changes for
temporary workers |
