Clients are becoming increasingly concerned about possible claims for employment rights from limited company contractors and temporary workers supplied through agencies. Evidence of this may be seen in agreements issued by clients that require the agency to provide indemnities against such claims. These indemnities are designed to cover all awards and costs incurred in the […]
New membership body for the recruitment industry – ARC – vows to take proactive stance Visit: www.arc-org.net. As the economic downturn takes hold, and with a number of legislative measures and government proposals on the table that threaten to have a significant impact, now is the time when the recruitment sector needs strong industry representation […]
The Government has launched a consultation on the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 which could have a significant impact on the day-to-day business of recruitment companies. Whilst the document addresses some positive aspects, the principal area affecting supply recruiters is a proposal to remove the limited company opt out under regulation […]
Following the recent news that JSA Services Limited, part of the JSA Group, owes ÂŁ10.6 million to HMRC and has entered into a voluntary arrangement and that two other “umbrella service providers” have left contractors unpaid, agencies should take care to ensure they are protected against umbrella failures, says the recruitment law specialist Lawspeed. Adrian […]
The saga continues of the so called “deal”, under which the UK’s position opposing the Agency Workers Directive (AWD) was withdrawn in exchange for agreement for the UK to retain the 48 hour opt out under the Working Time Directive (WTD.) On 17th December the EU Parliament made a determined attempt to remove the opt […]
The pre budget report contained the welcome news that the government has decided not to change the tax reliefs on travel expenses, but that is not the end of the matter. Adrian Marlowe, managing director of Lawspeed, said “this news will come as a huge relief not only to umbrella companies, but also to the […]
The Government has today issued a new consultation – entitled “Tax relief for travel expenses: temporary workers and overarching employment contracts”. This marks the beginning of another phase in the government’s review of the agency sector. Clearly the principle, that agency workers are able, by operating through an umbrella company or agency, in either case […]
The Agency Workers Directive (AWD) has long been simmering in the background, with many believing it would never become law, especially since the Government was originally against the proposals. However, following another policy U-turn, the Government announced on the 20th May that a deal had been made with the TUC and the CBI that would […]
On the 10th June, the EU Council agreed points of principle as to the content of the proposed Agency Workers Directive. Fundamentally it was agreed that the entitlement for agency workers to have comparable rights to regular employees of the end user shall apply from day one of an assignment in terms of pay, leave […]
Following our newsletter of 16th May 2008 the government has announced that it has agreed a deal with unions and employers that will see agency workers receiving equal treatment as employees. Equal treatment will mean the same entitlement to pay and basic working and employment conditions. The entitlement will arise after 12 weeks “in a […]
