Agency workers

New and updated

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Agency workers

  Updated with information on recent developments in the Employment Rights Bill relating to agency worker rights.

• Type:

  Legal timetable

  Regulation of umbrella companies

  Updated to reflect the publication of the Government's Employment Rights Bill implementation roadmap.

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Agency workers: key differences in Scotland and Northern Ireland

  Updated to reflect proposed reforms to agency worker rights, including pay transparency, in response to the "Good Jobs" Employment Rights Bill consultation in Northern Ireland. 

• Date:

  15 May 2025

  Type:

  Commentary and insights

  Employment Rights Bill essentials: Managing zero hours workers

  The policy intent behind the measures relating to zero and low hours workers in the Employment Rights Bill is to end one-sided flexibility and "exploitative zero hours contracts". This does not mean that there will be an outright ban on such contracts. What it does mean is that there will now be a legislative framework, the intention behind which is to deliver a better level of predictability and security for workers. Barrister and mediator Alison Frazer looks at the practical implications for HR.

• Type:

  International

  Global temporary workers comparative table

  Enhanced to include information on temporary employment agency work in Malaysia, Portugal and South Korea.

• Date:

  5 March 2025

  Type:

  News

  Agency workers to be included in zero-hours clampdown

  Agency workers will be included in the ban on 'exploitative' zero-hours contracts, as the government tables around 250 amendments to its landmark Employment Rights Bill today.

• Date:

  8 November 2023

  Type:

  Commentary and insights

  Should we raise the minimum wage for workers on zero hours contracts?

  The Workers (Predicable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 has now received Royal Assent. But will it fix the problem of zero hours contracts and precarious work? Probably not, says XpertHR consultant editor Darren Newman, who casts an eye over Labour's plans for a "New Deal" and points to a forgotten proposal with the potential to make a real difference.

• Date:

  26 July 2022

  Type:

  Commentary and insights

  HR talking point: Industrial unrest - why more restrictive union laws are not the answer

  Consultant editor Darren Newman argues that more restrictive trade union laws, such as the lifting of the ban on using agency workers during industrial action and an increase in the level of damages that can be awarded against unions for unlawful industrial action, are not the answer to tackling the current wave of industrial unrest.

• Date:

  25 January 2022

  Type:

  Podcasts and webinars

  Podcast: Key 2022 employment cases

  We highlight key cases due to be decided in 2022 and discuss their impact on HR. These include cases on: vicarious liability, holiday pay, agency workers, compulsory retirement ages, and coronavirus-related health and safety cases. We will also be reflecting on the key decisions from last year and look forward to the case law trends likely to emerge this year.

• Type:

  Interactive flowcharts

  Agency workers: Employ an agency worker as a permanent member of staff

  Use this agency workers flowchart where you wish to take on a temporary agency worker as a permanent employee.