The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), which came into force on 1 October 2011 in Great Britain, give agency workers the right to the same pay and conditions after 12 weeks' employment in the same role and with the same hirer
(although the 12 week qualifying period does not have to consist of 12 weeks consecutive work).
If you provide changing rooms and lockers to your permanent staff, then the Regulations say you should also supply the same service to agency staff. If you provide free meals to permanent staff, then you should also provide them to agency staff, and so on.
“The result is most likely that the terms and conditions for permanent staff get somewhat diluted,” predicts Philip Atkins, managing director, Off to Work, a supplier of staff, training and consultancy to the hospitality and events industry.
“For example, if before the AWR, permanent staff got fed after working for two hours, the new rules might say all staff will only get a meal four hours into their shifts; or if before the AWR permanent staff had their own personal lockers, now they may only have the use of a locker during their shift. Such changes will need to be managed carefully,” Atkins explains.
Another area likely to be a bureaucratic headache is the distribution of tips and service charges, as agency staff will also be entitled to their share, says Atkins.
BusinessHR, our resident employment law experts, recommend the following further reading on the AWR:
AWR free seminar invitation
You are invited to attend a free seminar on Agency Worker Regulations hosted by Institute Business Partner Kingston Smith.
Date: Monday 7 November 2011
Hosted By: Heather Matheson, Managing Director, HR Insight
Speakers: Joanna Cowie, Solicitor and Head of Legal, HRi Legal, Mark Slattery, Director, HR Insight, Guest speaker to be confirmed.
Venue: Devonshire House, 60 Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7AD
Time: 4.30pm registration for 5.00pm start. Ends 6.15pm, followed by refreshments.
Book Your Place Today
To reserve your place at this event, please contact Alexandra Webb at HR Insight on 01708 758958 or email awebb@hrinsight.co.uk. No charge is made for attending this seminar.
Please note places at Seminars may be limited, with places awarded as acceptances are received. You may be offered attendance at an alternative seminar if no further capacity is available.
