Member Article

Businesses warned on temp regulations

Businesses across the North East have been urged to start preparing now for new legislation that will give agency staff equal treatment in the workplace.

The EU-inspired Temporary Agency Workers Directive is due to come into force next year.

It will mean that workers supplied through an employment firm will be entitled to full rights, including holiday pay and sickness benefits, after 12 weeks in their jobs.

The moves could have a major impact on firms of all sizes, according to independent broker BiB Insurance.

Although the new directive does not come into effect until December 2011, the Darlington-based firm is calling on companies to ensure they are ready for the full effects of the directive.

The legislation will ensure that once the qualifying period has been served, temporary workers will be entitled to equal treatment on pay, holiday and sick pay, benefits such as use of sports facilities or canteens, flexi-time, childcare, medical and dental insurance and care.

BiB director Brian Jackson said the directive was designed to provide increased protection for agency workers – and that local firms must be braced for its impact.

“This directive is a hugely important development, as it provides that the basic working and employment conditions of temporary agency workers should be at least on a par with an employee undertaking the same job,” he said.

“Because of their new entitlements once the directive comes into play, agency workers will have to be declared for insurance purposes. Companies must ensure that everyone is covered.

“Agency temps presently account for more than three per cent of the national workforce, so the impact of the directive will be immense and, whilst there may be complaints about an increase in paperwork, it will be vital for businesses to be ready.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .