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Employment agencies in England, Scotland and Wales must comply with the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and regulations.
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) is part of BIS. The EAS carries out routine inspections of agencies and investigates complaints about agency conduct. They operate an enquiry line 0800 917 2368 (Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00).
The EAS’s mission statement is work with agencies and employers to raise standards within the industry and to ensure compliance with employment rights, particularly for vulnerable agency workers.
General guidance on employment agencies can be found on Directgov and businesslink.gov.uk.
If you are an agency worker you should visit Directgov, which provides guidance on your employment rights and the rules governing your agency. If you want to make a complaint about an employment agency, you can either do it by phone or fill in the employment agency complaint form.
If you already operate an employment agency or you are a business using employment agency staff please visit businesslink.gov.uk for practical advice for businesses and guidance to help save employers time and money.
Guidance on the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 is provided by BIS.
BIS/EAS can apply to an Employment Tribunal to prohibit persons from running or being concerned with the running of an employment agency or employment business, on account of that persons misconduct or unsuitability. The maximum period of any prohibition order is 10 years.
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