HR unclear what Fair Work Agency is all about - poll

Nine out of 10 HR professionals (92%) say they have had no contact with the new Fair Work Agency and 40% are unaware of its remit and what it is supposed to be doing, research has argued.

The poll of 140 senior HR professionals by Occupational Health Assessment Limited found a worrying lack of awareness and understanding of the agency, the new workplace watchdog launched in the wake of the Employment Rights Act.

In fact, the research found that just 3% of organisations had been actively in contact with the agency since it started work at the start of April.

The agency has powers to investigate breaches of employment rights, issue civil penalties and act against labour exploitation.

It is also expected to enforce other employment rights, such as the accurate calculation and payment of the recently improved Statutory Sick Pay, and investigate minimum wage violations.

The survey found that HR professionals had mixed views on the new agency. Just over a third (35%) felt it "might or will" improve understanding and compliance with employer duties.

A similar number (38%), however, believed it will either have little practical impact on their day-to-day duties (20%) or will actively complicate the compliance landscape (17%).

Claire McCusker, practice director at Occupational Health Assessment, said: "The Employment Rights Act 2025 has significantly strengthened the rights of workers here in the United Kingdom, and the Fair Work Agency has been launched to bring together enforcement of key employment rights into one place.

"This is a welcome move, yet one that will only improve outcomes if employers are fully aware of the FWA and its role and are familiar with the enforcement options that will be applied if employment mistakes are made."