No Crisis for Contractors After AWR’s First Qualifying Period

So, the first twelve-week qualifying period for equal treatment measures for temporary workers under the Agency Workers Regulations has come and gone – and many a jobbing PAYE umbrella contractor may be anxious to hear about what the impact has been.

The answer appears to be ‘not much’, according to the REC. There was no flurry of requests for information and queries from workers, but recruiters are decidedly unhappy with what they perceive as poor communication from some clients. Skilled contractors working through umbrella companies or limited companies do not, however, appear to have been adversely affected so far.

Lewina Farrell, who is REC Solicitor and Head of Professional Services, said that the “world did not come to an end” on 24th December, adding that the REC would continue to closely monitor the situation over the coming weeks.

Although relatively few calls were made to the emergency legal helpline over the Christmas period, Ms Farrell went on “…the feedback from members confirms that some clients remain reluctant to share relevant information for equal treatment purposes with their recruitment partners. An immediate priority is to continue reinforcing the message that the AWR is an issue for both agencies and clients.”

She concluded with a clear warning to obstructive clients:

“Clients who do not provide the relevant information to their agencies will be held liable by the employment tribunal for any breaches of the AWR which result from their unwillingness to co-operate.” She added that it is in everyone’s interests to communicate effectively and for clients to ensure that the appropriate information is passed to their recruitment partners in a timely manner.

Source

http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1919