With the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) coming into force in just over a year’s time, almost two in three HR professionals are unaware of the new regulations, according to research from Adecco.

The research shows that 61% don’t realise that the AWR will come into force in just twelve months time and 80% said they have ‘no idea’ what the consequences of non-compliance are.

The AWR gives agency workers the same basic working and employment conditions as permanent staff after 12 weeks on assignment.

Seven in 10 claimed they had some level of understanding of the AWR but just 19% had a ‘clear’ understanding.  Almost half 48% said are ‘concerned’ about understanding exceptions to the regulations which is a key area in which they could become non-compliant. Despite these concerns, half will not be seeking professional guidance on implementing the regulations.

Steven Kirkpatrick, managing director of Adecco General Staffing, says: “Now is not the time for complacency. There are over 1.3m agency workers out on assignment every day so it’s vital that HR professionals take steps to understand the nuances of AWR sooner rather than later. This is a significant piece of legislation and getting it wrong could have major resourcing, financial and legal implications. For example, failure to provide recruiters with the right information on temps’ working and employment conditions could result in a costly employment tribunal which could have major cost and reputational consequences.”