AWR Still Having A Low Impact On Contractors

With many recruiters anticipating a fall in contractor jobs it was interesting to note that the REC have again revealed that despite the burden of the Agency Workers Regulations, the demand for contractors remains strong.

Whilst they admitted that there was a slight fall in temporary jobs at end of last year, this is more likely to be attributed to the poor state of the economy rather than the impact of the AWR. They did however highlight the issues that recruiters are facing with some end clients, and have said that they will continue to address this.

REC’s Director of Policy Tom Hadley said; “It is now over 100 days since the AWR came into force. Despite the slight dip in the number of placements highlighted in last month’s Report on Jobs, overall demand remains strong. Temporary and contract staff will continue to provide employers with a key means of bringing in the right skills at the right time.”

He continued saying; “The feedback from recruiters is mixed and varies from sector to sector. There is no doubt that the regulations have created significant cost and resourcing implications for the industry but the priority has been to reassure client organisations over the ongoing viability and benefits of using agency staff.”

The chairman of REC Healthcare, Andrew Horner, has also backed the vital role that agency staff play within the NHS. He said that as well as providing a pivotal role in delivering services, they also provide a cost effective approach. He said that “portraying agency spend as a waste is not only wide of the mark, it is also hugely disrespectful to the individual temporary workers who perform crucial front-line roles and make a significant contribution.”

ICS work with a team of experts in employment and tax law to ensure our services are fully compliant with existing IR35 legislation and the latest government regulations, such as the AWR. You can contact us now for a tailored proposal based on your individual circumstances as a contractor.