Recruiters Facing AWR Issues With Employers

The Agency Workers Regulations, which came into force on October 1st, recently saw the first 12 week period pass; which means that for many temporary and contract workers the regulations now come into play.

Despite this point coming in the middle of the festive period, on the December 24^th, there have been few related problems. However, the REC have reported that many recruiters are still having issues co-operating with some employers.

Lewina Farrell, REC Solicitor and Head of Professional Services, confirmed that following the 12 week milestone the REC will monitor the situation closely, advising recruiters what to do regarding any employee claims. Speaking about the problems with some employers she said;

“The feedback from members confirms that some clients remain reluctant to share relevant information for equal treatment purposes with their recruitment partners. An immediate priority is to continue reinforcing the message that the AWR is an issue for both agencies and clients.”

“Clients who do not provide the relevant information to their agencies will be held liable by the employment tribunal for any breaches of the AWR which result from their unwillingness to co-operate. Therefore it is everyone’s interests to develop effective communication channels and imperative that clients pass the appropriate information to their recruitment partners in a timely fashion.”

With other ongoing AWR issues also causing some difficulty for both recruiters and employees it is important for all related parties to be sure of what the implications are. Further information on the AWR can be found on the ICS website.

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