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agency workers

Everyone at work has some basic rights. Thanks to union campaigning, rights for agency workers have got better, with new rights since April 2004. There is still a long way to go though, and this section tells you where you stand.

  • I work through an agency. Am I an employee or a worker?  more...
  • Are agency workers entitled to the minimum wage?  more...
  • What rights do agency workers have on working time?  more...
  • Do agency workers get paid holiday?  more...
  • Who is responsible for my safety as an agency worker?  more...
  • Are agency workers protected from discrimination?  more...
  • Can agency workers join trade unions?  more...
  • Am I entitled to know my full terms and conditions for agency work?  more...
  • I’m an agency worker. Do I get paid maternity leave?  more...
  • Are agency workers entitled to sick pay?  more...
  • Can my agency refuse to pay me if they don’t get paid by the company I’m placed with?  more...
  • Can my agency charge my company a ‘temp to perm’ fee if I take a job there after a placement?  more...
  • Can my agency charge a fee to find me work?  more...
  • Should an employer offer me a permanent job if I've been placed with them for a long time?  more...

further information

If your agency is treating you badly, and you think it may be breaking the law, you can report it to the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the government office that regulates agencies, on 0845 9555105. The Directgov website has information and advice for agency workers at campaigns.direct.gov.uk/agencyworkers

Agency workers have rights too: Know your rights leaflet

workSMART Know Your Rights

Download our Know Your Rights leaflet "Agency workers have rights too!" as a .pdf file

(you will need Adobe Acrobat to view this file, click here for free downloads of this software)