New guidance to help agency workers understand their employment rights

Agency workers are being offered fresh guidance on their employment rights after complaints that many were suffering delays in being paid, or not being paid at all.

The conciliation service Acas said at least one in four calls to its helpline from agency employees related to pay, including delays, incorrect amounts or not even being paid.

The new advice says that agency workers are entitled to be paid even if an agency has not received payment from an employer.

Agency workers are also being told that in most situations they are entitled to the same pay as directly employed staff after a 12-week qualifying period.

Tom Neil of Acas said: “It is clear that there are agency workers who are unsure about their rights at work.

“This can leave them unsure about their entitlements on pay, working hours and time off for holidays and sickness.

“Some agency workers complain about their pay being delayed because the employer has not paid the agency.

“Agencies should know that workers have a right to receive their wages whether or not the employer has paid the agency.”

_{Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2018, All Rights Reserved.}