A recruitment company or employment agency will engage people who are looking for work (Agency Worker) and place them under a contract with a hirer. This is known as “temporary agency work” or “temping”.
Before introducing an Agency Worker to a hirer you must confirm their identity and that they are entitled to work in the UK.
In order to avoid action be taken against you by an Agency Worker they need:
- Written terms and conditions, setting out things like rate of pay, type of work to be sought, notice periods etc.
- Payment for work done, even if you have not been paid by the customer.
- Written details of each job offered.
- To be able to end an assignment without suffering a penalty.
- To be able to take a permanent job with a customer without suffering a penalty (although a transfer fee may be charged to the customer if part of the hire agreement).
- To be allowed to register with other agencies.
- To have paid holiday, rest breaks and limits on working time.
- To receive at least the National Minimum Wage.
- Not to be discrminated against.
- Protection under health and safety laws.
However, Agency Workers are not usually entitled to redundancy pay or able to make a claim for unfair dismissal.
If you would like further information about this or on recruitment payroll services then contact Robin Mead on 0800 018 0590 or rmead@payplus.co.uk
