Agency Work Law

[nailit]

Im fuming! Sick of all this zero hours contracts and agency work boolicks.

My son has been on agency work for years, unable to get a full time job but works where he can.
Health and safety of agency workers seems practically non existant.
In the past he accidently nailed gunned a piece of wood to his finger due to no protective gloves been provided (and the firm involve hired a lot of cash in hand workers as well) Since then it has turned out to be a right Micky mouse firm due to one reason or another but one still on agencys books.

At his present firm he has sliced his finger, again due to no protective equipment. And tonight he is currently in A&E with a suspected ankle fracture after been ordered to drive a warehouse vehicle (something similar to a forklift) without a license and had an accident. At the time, the manager, and other personall, found it funny to make fun of his 'accident proness' while he was in agony. He was only an agency worker after all. He's walked off the job after waiting 20 minutes to see a first aider who laughed at him and told him to wait. and worried about what the agency will say. He got a load of stick of the agency a few months ago as he had to have a day off to visit the dentist when his tooth broke.

Seems that agency workers have no rights (Although theres bound to be something in law)
Just pees me of.
My son may not have employment now, but how do I report these firms that have no care for their zero hours, no contract agency workers?
And how do I report the agencies that still recruit for these Micky Mouse firms?

[nailit]

Thanks for asking bednobs, appreciated.
Had an Xray and no fracture found but hes finding it difficult to walk without pain killers. He didnt go to work today and not going back to that firm.
Thanks again for enquiring.

[Tilly2]

I hope he can find another job when his ankle has healed. Good luck to him, Nails.

[nailit]

Cheers Tills.
He's spending the weekend with his bird.

[nailit]

No doubt his energy will return...

[Theland]

Best wishes Nails and to your son. Quite a worry.

[nailit]

Thanks Theland. Just wish he could drop on a proper job.

[Tilly2]

Unfortunately, due to the effects of covid, lockdown and furlough there are many people looking for jobs and there will be many more once furlough ends and people are put out of work.

Perhaps your son would be better to stick with agency work before many more people sing up/in for possible work.

Does he drive?

[nailit]

//Does he drive?//
He drives me round the bend Tills but doesnt have a car licence.
Looks like agency work for the forseeable...

[Tilly2]

He needs to get a driving licence. Then, there would be lots more opportunities.

[nailit]

//He needs to get a driving licence. Then, there would be lots more opportunities//
So I keep telling him.
Best thing that I ever did was persevere at my driving lessons at his age. It opens doors.

[Barmaid]

Has he been given a sick note?

You can't get legal aid for this but you might get a no win no fee firm interested.

He might get a few hundred quid- depending on how bad it really is. A sprain can put you off work for a couple of months.

You may get someone to do it because it will generally be an insurance job.

[eve1974]

I really empathise with ur son. All those who say “ah just refuse to do what ur not qualified to do” don’t know how difficult it is in reality. It’s EASY to find an excuse to get rid of staff in underpaid, zero hr contract roles. Wishing ur son and u all the best from
Someone whose
“ Been there, doing that, and wearing the t shirt atm”

[10ClarionSt]

Just one thing Nailit. As I understand it, if an agency operative works at a company for three months, by legislation, that company has to offer the operative a permanent position. Not quite sure about the length of time, but I'm sure there is law that covers this.

[fiction-factory]

I alluded to this in an an earlier post, 10CS. As I understand the Agency Worker Regs, whilst they don't have to offer a permanent position or even a temporary one on their payroll as an employee after 3 months, they do have to give you the same terms and conditions as permanent employees doing the same role. Sometimes though the company will decide not to use that agency worker just before the 3 months is up so as to avoid any additional costs and obligations.