Agency workers regulations: 'Strategy shift'

At a time when the government’s business agenda is all about reducing red tape, the forthcoming agency workers regulations (AWR) – which will entitle temporary workers to pay and conditions equal to that of permanent staff after 12 weeks’ work – may seem contrary to this.The regulations, the final guidance for which has just been published, have been attacked by business groups as a costly headache for employers. But for some HR professionals, the imminent implementation of AWR in October is providing an opportunity to reassess workforce planning.