Agency workers who are pregnant have specific rights under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 after completing a 12-week qualifying period. Like other pregnant workers, agency workers who are pregnant also have rights under equality and health and safety legislation.
In some circumstances, the agency worker will be entitled to paid time off for antenatal appointments. The hiring employer should liaise with the agency to ensure that both parties fulfil their duties towards the worker in this regard.
The hirer should be aware of how absences related to pregnancy affect the calculation of the 12-week qualifying period for certain rights under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010. In some circumstances, an agency worker will continue to accrue qualifying service during a period of absence.
