Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) Guides
Guides to the AWR which came into force on 1st October 2011. How the AWR affects recruiters, clients, contractors and agency workers.
Key AWR Guides
Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) Updates
AWR - Swedish Derogation model tested at Tribunal for the first time
An Employment Tribunal has made one of the first court decisions relating to the Agency Workers Regulations, in a case where agency workers were 'flipped' onto a Swedish Derogation contract.
(Jan 12, 2013)
Agency Workers Regulations - minimal impact on recruiters
A survey carried out by the professional body for the recruitment industry shows that the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) in October 2011 has made little difference to the demand for temporary and contract workers.
(Oct 25, 2012)
CBI calls on Government to be bold and strip down Agency Workers rules
One year on since implementation, the CBI says that the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) have been a drag on job creation and have done nothing to benefit temporary workers.
(Oct 1, 2012)
One year on, most contractors remain unaffected by the AWR
According to a leading contractor services provider, the vast majority of contractors are still unaware of the Agency Workers Regulations, one year after they became law. Despite this, only a fraction have had to make any changes to comply with the new rules.
(Sep 26, 2012)
Contractors largely unaffected by AWR
A recent poll carried out by contractors' organisation, PCG, found that the recently implemented Agency Workers Regulations have had a very limited effect on most freelancers.
(Apr 26, 2012)
AWR has increased staffing costs, Swedish Derogation exclusion popular
An international law firm has found that the implementation of the AWR has increased the cost of hiring staff for most organisations, and most firms are using at least one exclusion to mimimise the impact of the new rules.
(Apr 11, 2012)
Most common myths about the Agency Workers Regulations
The PCG has published its 5 most-heard myths about the AWR, reflecting the lack of clarity and transparency which exists in the marketplace, due in no small amount to the inadequacy of the official guidance.
(Feb 21, 2012)
One third of businesses may lay off contractors early due to AWR
A survey of recruiters suggests that almost 30% of organisations may terminate contract and temp roles prematurely, as a result of the Agency Workers Regulations.
(Jan 12, 2012)
AWR having minimal impact on IT contractor market
A recruitment body says that the recently implemented Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) appear to be having a limited impact on the professional contract market.
(Dec 18, 2011)
Limited company contractors and the Agency Workers Regulations
The ambiguous nature of the Government guidance to the AWR has resulted in confusion over whether or not limited company contractors are affected by the new rules.
(Oct 25, 2011)
Providers who influence contractors to incorporate due to the AWR may fall foul of debt transfer rules
A contractor accountant has warned end users and agencies who influence contractors to work via limited companies in order to avoid the Agency Workers Regulations that they may fall foul of the debt transfer rules.
(Oct 20, 2011)
What is the link between IR35 and the Agency Workers Regulations?
Just as people were finally getting used to dealing with the complexities of IR35, the introduction of the AWR on 1st October provided another ambiguous set of rules for the contracting industry to get used to.
(Oct 18, 2011)
AWR checklist - What does a good AWR solution look like?
An in-depth guide to the most popular post-AWR umbrella company solutions, and how to ensure that an umbrella company scheme complies with the new rules.
(Oct 13, 2011)
Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) - Useful guides and resources
The Agency Workers Regulations become law on 1st October 2011. Given the complexity of the new rules, we have listed some of the most useful AWR resources available on the web.
(Sep 29, 2011)
Businesses urged to act now to ensure readiness for AWR implementation
With just a few days to go before the Agency Workers Regulations become law on October 1st, businesses are being warned that they face large fines if they break the new rules.
(Sep 29, 2011)
Survey shows that most contractors have never even heard of the AWR
A new survey suggests that, with less than one month to go before the AWR become law, an incredible 88% of contractors working via agencies have not even been told about the implications of the new rules by their recruiters.
(Sep 8, 2011)
Contracting industry reacts to suggestion that PM may review AWR implementation
The contracting industry has reacted to a newspaper report that David Cameron may seek to review the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations.
(Sep 6, 2011)
Cameron might fight EU over Agency Workers rules
An article in The Telegraph today suggests that David Cameron is increasingly concerned about the impact the Agency Workers Regulations could have on the fragile economic recovery.
(Sep 6, 2011)
Parasol unveils its post-AWR umbrella company solutions
The UK's biggest umbrella company, Parasol, has announced that it is to offer several different solutions for contractors and agencies when the Agency Workers Regulations become law on 1st October 2011.
(Sep 5, 2011)
Agency Workers Regulations amended to provide more clarity for agencies
The Government has made some amendments to the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), to provide clarity over the definition of agency workers, when payment between assignments starts, and how agencies can avoid liability for equal treatment claims.
(Aug 15, 2011)
Recruitment body rejects claims that AWR will result in cull of agency staff
A report in the Sunday Telegraph this week claims that businesses are set to cut down on their use of temporary workers when the Agency Workers Regulations become law in October 2011; a view rejected by a leading recruitment body.
(Aug 9, 2011)
PCG publishes complete guide to the Agency Workers Regulations
The PCG has released an informative guide to the Agency Workers Regulations, aimed at service providers who work with freelancers.
(Aug 4, 2011)
Preparation and compliance key to AWR success
The FCSA has warned the industry that the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations in October 2011 will be painful, and identifies 3 ways forward for professional contractors.
(Jun 7, 2011)
What are the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR)?
The principal aim of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) is for temporary agency workers to be given the same basic working rights as other employees after 12 weeks on an assignment.
(May 14, 2011)
Do limited company contractors fall within the scope of the Agency Workers Regulations?
The final Agency Workers Regulation guidance for employers and recruiters states that limited company contractors should be excluded if they are genuinely in business on their own account.
(May 13, 2011)
AWR - What is the Swedish derogation model?
Following the implementation of the AWR in October 2011, we look at the 'Swedish derogation model' as a potential solution for umbrella companies.
(May 10, 2011)
Agency Workers Regulations - draft guidance released
Draft Agency Workers Regulations guidance has been released for comment. Limited contractors who are in business on their own account should not be affected by the new rules, but umbrella contractors will.
(Apr 4, 2011)
Contractor organisation hits out at agency worker proposals
The Service Providers Association has called on the government to better differentiate between the constituent populations of the professional freelance workforce in its application of the AWD legislation.
(Jan 25, 2010)
Contractors retain Agency Regulations opt-out choice
The Government has confirmed that contractors will still be able to opt out of the recruitment agency Conduct of Employment Agencies Regulations.
(Nov 17, 2009)
Limited company contractors could fall under Agency Workers Directive if caught by IR35 rules
A leading contractor accountancy firm has pointed out that limited company contractors who are caught by IR35 could fall within the scope of the Agency Workers Directive.
(Nov 10, 2009)
