New rules should give employers greater flexibility in hiring temporary
workers.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations
2001 contains a stipulation that where a hiring has lasted more than six weeks,
the agency may not charge a transfer fee if the employer waits a further eights
weeks before taking on the temp.
Industry minister Alan Johnson said the regulations will "help hirers
and workers without damaging the legitimate concerns of agencies." But
Frank Morton, associate at Osborne Clark OWA, said, "The employer will
argue [the temp] has not been employed during this period," said .
"But if the temp continues to, say, attend meetings then the bureau will
argue he has continued to be employed."
