If you're a temp worker, then you have every right to be annoyed that the EU agency workers directive will not come into force in the UK until the latest possible date of October 2011.
Don't be.
Although these changes would see temp workers gain access to the same pay and holiday conditions as permanent staff after 12 weeks’ work, this type of scheme could spell disaster in the current economic climate.
It has been predicted that the directive would cost UK businesses £3.5 billion a year – an additional cost that many can't afford during the downturn. If the changes were brought in earlier, it could actually have a negative affect on the number of temp jobs available at a time where every job, whether permanent or temporary, is seen as a godsend to the unemployed.
CIPD Employee Relations Adviser Mike Emmott said: “Implementing the directive in the early stages of a recovery could have been particularly damaging, as firms will be willing to take on temporary workers at an earlier stage than they are willing to commit to permanent appointments.”
