More red tape for decent businesses
“Agency Workers Regulations are now in force; how will it affect your world?” asks Gavan Burden of Burden Dare. “This seems to be a case of the blind leading the blind, and what we really need is a co-operative and pragmatic approach to compliance”. His article sets out Burden Dare’s current thinking on the key issues and, as it is a blog, invites polite comment (please remember, these are not his regulations!). As interim managers you will have a vested interested in AWR and what it means to you. Here is a chance to add to the debate, please join in the blog.
Burden begins: "The Agency Workers Regulations, or AWR as it is known, is a ”TLA” (three-letter acronym) to strike fear into the heart of many a …..er, well, who exactly? Let’s see.
What’s it for?
The general principle is that permanent employees should not receive better pay or benefits than workers supplied though an agent. So how many times has this happened? I don’t know. Nobody does, but in the same way that the fallout from “Cockle-Picking” handicaps decent businesses so AWR adds another “business prevention” layer. If a business is not reputable I really can’t imagine this legislation will make an ounce of difference.
When will it happen?
It came into force on the 1st October 2011 so like many of my recruitment colleagues I have spent weeks trying to find out who now does what, and why, and do you know what? There is no clear answer. Like its close interbred cousins before, IR35 and the snappily titled “Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003″, it has all the hallmarks of a sledgehammer to crack an egg-shell, let alone nut. It seems that we are all presumed guilty until we can prove ourselves innocent."
Read the full article at: Burden Dare's blog.