The cost of temporary staff is set to rocket with the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations.
The European directive will be implemented in the UK from October and will mean temporary workers must be given equal treatment, including pay, to a comparable permanent employee after 12 weeks work on an assignment.
This could greatly increase staffing costs for companies as Lisa Gainsford, managing director of Randstad Inhouse Services says that despite volumes dipping over the past year or so, the number of temporary workers it provides has increased.
“And it’s a trend that is likely to increase,” she said, “as companies are seeing added value and productivity gains in using temporary staff. It means having the right people, trained to right ability, in the right place at the right time.
“Above all it’s about creating flexibility and working proactively.”
