With less than a week to go until the changes come into effect on 1 October, Acas has alerted bosses they could face a fine up to £5,000 from an Employment Tribunal if they break the new law.
The fine would be multiplied by each temp they wronged.
The shake-up gives temps the same basic rights on pay, working conditions and holidays as employees. Temps rely on recruitment agencies to recommend them to employers, so the new law affects them, too. Recruitment agencies estimate there are around 1.4million temps in the UK, 4% of the nation’s workforce.
To steer employers and agencies through the major change Acas has guidance at www.acas.org.uk/agencyworkers and is holding courses throughout Britain.
John Taylor, Acas chief executive, said: “Businesses really need to make sure that they have a handle on these changes. It’s not something to think about down the line and get it wrong, as it can be costly to your business.
“Some employers may try to get round the regulations by hiring and rehiring temps on a succession of shorter periods. But they need to be careful of the many provisos within the new law. We would always urge employers to take a fair approach as the basis for any workplace relations.”
