Guidance published to assist with AWR introduction
In a bid to help employers prepare for the roll out of the
Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), the government has published new
guidance.
The helpful advice, which has been put together with assistance
from trade unions, businesses and recruitment agencies, will help
employers understand the new regulations.
The AWR will be rolled out across the UK on 1 October this year,
and will implement the EU Agency Workers Directive. The directive
gives agency workers the same basic employment and working
conditions rights as permanent staff following the successful
completion of a 12-week qualifying period in a new job.
Edward Davey, Employment Relations Minister, said, “The agency
sector is a key part of the UK’s flexible labour market … We looked
carefully at the possibility of amending the Regulations to address
employers’ concerns but were forced to conclude that we could not
do so without putting the 12-qualifying period at risk.
“We have collaborated with key organisations including
employment agencies, employers, trade unions and representative
bodies to develop this guidance and I believe the resulting
document will help prepare everyone for the forthcoming changes,”
he added.