Temporary workers to receive equal rights under AWR from December 24
The first temporary workers and contractors will be eligible to receive the same rights regarding employment as permanent staff under the Agency Workers Directive from December 24, as the first 12 week qualifying period finishes.
Under the guidelines, following 12 weeks in an assignment any temporary worker or contractor must earn the same rate of pay and entitlement to holidays and breaks as permanent staff. As the regulations came into force on October 1, December 24 is going to be date that the first temporary workers are considered to receive the new rights.
However the rights are aimed more at agency workers, contractors may also find themselves affected so it is important to understand the rules and be aware of anything that may affect them.
As well as understanding changes to the legislation which affect temporary workers, contractors also have to deal with legislation on taxation and charges such as IR35, which is why many contractors decide to use the assistance of an umbrella company.
Umbrella companies as well as pulseumbrella can be useful contractors make the most out of their working lives. Employed as a section of an umbrella company means that contractors can have all their financial and tax matters arranged for them, and ensures that every contractor has peace of mind about being IR35 compliant and paying the proper amount of income tax and national insurance thanks to pulseumbrella’s contractor calculator.
Pulseumbrella also provide contractors a number of additional benefits including holidays, maternity/paternity pay and an optional pension scheme so contractors gain all the benefits supplied by permanent employment combined with the freedom of contracting.