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Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003

Starting Date: 19-03-09

Closing Date: 11-06-09

The Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (“the Conduct Regulations”) govern the conduct of the private recruitment industry and set minimum standards for employment agencies and employment businesses operating from premises in Great Britain. All employment agencies and employment businesses must comply with the provisions in the legislation which are designed to protect both work-seekers and hirers.

The purpose of this consultation is to gather information and views from interested parties, including those who may be affected by the proposed amendments to the Conduct Regulations, on a package of measures designed to clarify lines of responsibility between agencies and hirers, further reduce regulatory burdens, target abuse and ensure that essential protections remain in place for the most vulnerable agency workers.

The two areas we want to examine in relation to vulnerable workers are:

    i) the abuse of upfront fees in the entertainment and modelling sector and
    ii) the issue of temporary workers employed via umbrella companies.

With regard to clarifying lines of responsibility and reducing regulatory burdens we are seeking views on:

    i) suitability checks for permanent recruitment,
    ii) requirements to agree terms with work-seekers and hirers and
    iii) requirements when placing advertisements.

In addition to the above we are also planning to exempt deaneries from the employment agency legislation.

This consultation is now closed. A Government response setting out conclusions and any changes to the Conduct Regulations is currently scheduled to be published in October.

Contact details:

Balwinder Dhoot
Employment Agency Standards Policy
Bay 485
BERR
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H OET

Tel: 020 7215 8184
Fax: 020 7215 0168

Consultation Documents

• Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003: consultation and impact assessment (474KB)