The Agency Workers Regulation The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (‘the Regulations’) will come into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 1st October 2011. The Regulations stem from the EU Temporary Workers Directive 2008 which gives agency workers the right to the same pay and other working conditions enjoyed by a hirer’s own workers. Importantly, the Regulations do not alter an agency worker’s employment status i.e. they do not make an agency worker an employee of either the hirer or the agency. Whilst in other parts of the EU, this right to equal treatment comes into effect from day one of an assignment, the UK has secured a derogation period of 12 weeks. This means that an agency worker will only be entitled to equal treatment once s/he has completed 12 weeks’ of service in the same role with the same hirer (there are two exceptions, relating to access to the client’s facilities and information on vacancies at the client which apply from day one of an assignment). The Regulations also give pregnant agency workers new rights. Should candidates require more information about this or anything else please do not hesitate to contact Meyer-Scott Recruitment.