Agency Staff: Know Your Employment Rights with the New Legislation

Changes announced on 1st October 2011 are among the biggest shake-up in employment law and the rights of agency workers in more than a decade.

Wednesday 12th October, 2011: Leading employment law experts www.youremploymentmatters.co.uk comments on how the changes could affect businesses and employees.

Caroline Harper, from Your Employment Matters comments;

“The new regulations will give agency staff the same basic employment and working rights as if they have been recruited directly. After 12 continuous weeks of working in the same company with the same employer, agency workers are now entitled to the same basic rights as if they were recruited directly by the hirer.

“What this means is that agency workers are entitled to a paid holiday, equal pay, rest breaks and limits on working times, with no unlawful deductions from wages. They are also entitled to the right to the national minimum wage.”

Agency staff will also have the right to equal treatment and not to be discriminated against. They also have the right to protection under health and safety laws. Interestingly, the new laws also mean that once the 12 weeks are completed, pregnant agency workers will be allowed paid time off for antenatal appointments during work assignments.

Continues Harper;

“The new regulations don’t change employment status or guarantee any permanent job at the 12-week qualifying period. It is also worth remembering that any time spent working before 1st October will not count towards the 12 week period.”

If you believe that you do not have the same basic employment rights after 12 weeks of continuous work for one hirer, you could be within your rights to make a claim at an employment tribunal.

For more information contact Your Employment Matters Today.

Notes:

Watch the Video Online at: http://youtu.be/NDdzby4ZjZ8

Covering everything from grievance letters to appeal hearings, as well as offering anyone who believes they may have suffered discrimination in the workplace for issues including: maternity and pregnancy; racial discrimination; sexual orientation and bullying, Your Employment Matters offers a genuine no win no fee service.

Telephone: 01604 630488 calls are charged at a local rate or visit: www.youremploymentmatters.co.uk

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