Are agency workers protected from discrimination?

You have the right not to be treated less favourably than other workers, by either the agency or hiring company on the grounds of sex, race, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religious belief or age.

Since 1 October 2011, agency workers have important new rights to equal treatment. Some of the rights apply from the first day of an assignment while others require you to have worked in the same job for the same hirer for 12 weeks.

From the first day in an assignment you will have the right not to be treated less favourably than a comparable employee in relation to collective facilities and amenities provided by the hirer for the use of all or certain groups of staff.

Examples of collective facilities and amenities include canteens and staff rooms, toilet and shower facilities, crèches, transport services (such as local pick-ups and drop offs) and car parking

From day one you also have the right to be informed about vacancies with the hirer while on assignment with them. The aim is to give you the same opportunity as a comparable worker to find a permanent job with the hirer.

After you have worked 12 weeks in the same job for the same hirer, you will also be entitled to the same pay, holiday and working time entitlements that you would have received if you had been recruited directly by the hirer to the same job.