Temporary Agency Worker News

de Poel, the temporary procurement agency, says that industry ambassadors and the British press need to get their facts right in light of rumours that the coalition government intends to water down some of the Agency Workers Regulations.

One story that appeared recently implied that temporary agency workers would lose potential holiday pay as a result of legislation being revoked. However, temps have been entitled to paid holidays since 1998. Another misconception is that temps get a raw deal and yet in some sectors such as engineering, healthcare and IT they get paid more than permanent staff members.

Matthew Sanders, CEO of De Poel, said that although it is important to protect temporary agency workers, doing so should not be detrimental to business and the economy.

Last week de Poel joined forces with the ARC which has continually raised concerns regarding the legality of the regulations which are due to come into force in October next year.

Meanwhile the government is set to push ahead with the review of the AWR although any amendments are likely to be minor. All EU member states must implement the agency workers directive by 5 December 2011 and the UK coalition must make sure it complies with the requirements or face the prospect of legal challenges in the future.

The REC is hosting a live webinar this Wednesday to update both clients and candidates on the facts surrounding the AWR and help them prepare effectively for their implementation. Although the event is now fully subscribed, it will be available ‘on demand’ as from Friday 23rd July.

The REC has also compiled a comprehensive implementation pack containing information, tools and advice for businesses.

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Public-sector cuts have started to affect the jobs market, according to recruitment data for July, which found a “significant deceleration” in new vacancies.

In its monthly jobs market report, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) revealed that while permanent and temporary staff appointments increased last month, growth had slowed to reach six- and nine-month lows respectively.
The rate of increase in permanent staff salaries had accelerated sharply to the fastest for almost two-and-a-half years. However, pay growth for temporary staff eased to a modest pace that was the slowest in four months.

For the second time in three months, the number of vacancies for permanent staff decreased. Temporary staff availability rose in July, but the latest improvement was the weakest in the current 28 month period of growth.
Kevin Green, REC chief executive, said: “This month’s data confirms a significant deceleration in the jobs market with the rate of expansion easing to an eight-month low. This is the first real indicator that cuts in the public sector are beginning to bite. Nowhere is this more apparent than in nursing and medical care, where demand for both permanent and temporary staff has fallen away drastically compared to last year when it was the only sector experiencing growth.”
He called on the government to do “everything possible” to boost private-sector job creation, including reducing business taxes and regulation.

Bernard Brown, partner and head of business services at KPMG, which co-authored the report, said: “Surprisingly, engineering and construction is the sector where staff are most in demand, an indication of a sustained recovery in the manufacturing sector. However, the sharp decline in the demand for healthcare professionals comes as a direct result of government cutbacks and cost reduction in the NHS, and is a sign of things to come as the public sector prepares for more spending cuts that are likely to impact the jobs market further.”

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Gwent councils spend over £8m on agency staff

GWENT councils spent more than £8 million on temporary agency staff in the last financial year, we can reveal today.

Figures obtained by the Argus show that while two councils managed to reduce the amount of cash they spent on agency workers between 2008-09 and 2009-10, at another two councils the figure increased.

Local authorities across Gwent use temporary agency staff to fill skills gaps which have arisen in their workforce – such as if they need more social workers, lorry drivers or even grass cutters – and the Welsh Local Government Association says it is often the only way councils can make sure front line services are delivered.

But at Blaenau Gwent Council due to the current financial climate temporary staff are being used to fill vacancies while council bosses hold off from making permanent appointments.

The amount of cash Newport Council spent on agency workers fell from £5.77 million in 2008-09 to £4.62 million in 2009-10.

Torfaen Council‘s spend also fell from £1.58 million to £1.20 million.

In Blaenau Gwent Council the figure almost doubled from £618,000 to £1.17 million, while Monmouthshire Council’s agency staffing costs grew slightly from £1.58 million to £1.79 million.

Monmouthshire’s figure included cash for amounts paid by schools for supply teachers.

Caerphilly Council spent £5 million in 2008/09 – but was unable to provide figures for 2009/10 as it is yet to finalise its accounts.

Staff shortages in key areas such as social care could result in worse services to vulnerable people, a spokeswoman for the WLGA said, while supply teachers ensure children’s education is not disrupted and agency refuse lorry drivers make sure bins are collected on time.

All the councils said agency staff were paid for within the budgets determined at the beginning of the financial year.

Caerphilly Council said most of its agency staff are seasonal workers, such as grass cutters or tourism support staff for major events, while Blaenau Gwent also said temporary staff were essential for seasonal work.

But a spokesman for Blaenau Gwent said that, due to the difficult financial climate, it is currently holding back from permanent appointments and is covering some vacancies with temporary staff, allowing it to maintain front line services.

Monmouthshire Council said it uses agency staff to complete one off pieces of work and to cover the absence of current employees.

Newport Council said agency staff are used across all service areas where there is a need, and has a public-private partnership to reduce the costs of recruitment.

Torfaen Council said their agency staff are typically used to deliver front line services when staffing shortages occur.

Source:  http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/8320540.Gwent_councils_spend_over___8m_on_agency_staff/