Uncertainty continues on the timing of new laws to improve the rights for agency workers following an ambiguous statement by Gordon Brown at the recent Trade Unions Congress in which he promised that he would legislate for the new employment rights in the next parliamentary session.

The Directive, which member states have until 5 December 2011 to implement, aims to award Britain’s estimated 1.3m agency and temporary workers the same basic working and employment conditions (including working time, pay and maternity rights) as permanent staff after 12 weeks employment.

While the trade unions are pushing for an early introduction of the Directive, employers’ representatives - concerned that the legislation could damage the economy, leaving already struggling businesses having to lay people off to avoid the additional costs the new regulations – are lobbying for implementation to be delayed as long as possible.

While the Government grapples with the thorny business of implementing the Directive, businesses using temporary or agency workers need to consider the impacts of the proposed regulation. Key areas for consideration include where and how these workers are used, a calculation of the potential additional costs of ‘equal treatment’ and how the extra work could be covered if your business stopped using temps.

For more information on employment law issues, contact: Tom Sharpe on 01603 762 103 or email tom.sharpe@howespercival.com