You may well be aware that the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 come into effect on the 1st October this year.

The Regulations give temporary or agency workers the right to the same basic working conditions (such as pay, working hours and holidays) as permanent staff after 12 weeks working in the same role.

A key point for consideration, particularly if your business provides 'collective facilities' (such as restaurants, dental or medical services etc), is that agency workers will be entitled to equal access to the facilities.

The Regulations do not cover the self-employed or those working through their own limited company and individuals working on managed service contracts are also excluded from the provisions (which is common, for example, in providing occupational health or primary care services in company premises).

Although we're medical specialists rather than employment advisers, we'd counsel legal advice may well be appropriate to gauge any impact the Regulations may have on your business.

The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has released a useful guide for employers recently, which is well worth a read too.