Following the media coverage and general industry discussion last week regarding the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (AWR), I thought I would clarify the information.

The AWR, once in force, will give agency workers similar rights to comparable direct hires after they have completed 12 weeks work in the same role with the same hirer, as well as some rights from day one.

The Recruitment and Employment Confereration reported on Wednesday 7 September 2011 that it had received confirmation from BIS (Department for Business Innovation and Skills) that the AWR will come into force as planned. It was confirmed yesterday by BIS deputy director, Peter Stephens, at an Association of Professional Staffing Companies House of Commons event that the AWR will definitely be implemented on 1 October 2011.

Whether the story in the press was policial spin or a real effort address important concerns with the AWR, it is clear that it is too late for any major changes to be made to the AWR before they come into force on 1 October.