Pictured above: (l-r) - Julie Fouad (Katie Bard), Toni Sharp (Wright Hassall employment solicitor), Sarah Stratton (Wright Hassall head of HR consultancy) and Betty the agency worker bear

Employers were given the lowdown on the upcoming changes to agency workers' rights at two seminars in Leamington and Birmingham.

Leamington-based solicitors Wright Hassall and recruitment experts Katie Bard - part of the international Angela Mortimer Group - hosted two lunch time sessions to provide a range of organisations with vital information ahead of the changes to Agency Worker Regulations that come into force in October.

Under the new regulations, agency workers will be entitled to the same basic rights and benefits as those employed directly, if they have held the same role, under the same hirer, for at least 12 weeks.

The two seminars - one at Wright Hassall's Leamington offices and the other at Malmaison Hotel in Birmingham's Mailbox - addressed the practical implications of the fresh legislation and offered employers advice and discussion on the best way to prepare.

Sarah Stratton, head of HR consultancy at Wright Hassall, presented at the event with her colleague Toni Sharp, an employment solicitor at Wright Hassall. Julie Fouad from Katie Bard also presented from the agency perspective.

Sarah felt the event successful having received good feedback from those that attended.

"These regulations will come in soon and, given that many employers are uncertain how they will be affected, it was important that they had an opportunity to hear from us how their businesses would be impacted.

"These people, and therefore their organisations, are now armed with the necessary information to prepare for the forthcoming changes.

"We had a three way perspective - HR, legal and agency. This seemed to work well and there was also an opportunity for networking and Q and A, which people found useful.

"Working alongside a reputable recruitment agency like Katie Bard demonstrated to employers that we think it is important to get involved right at the start of the relationship between employer and agency worker. That way we can help steer employers away from any pitfalls and potentially costly mistakes."

For more information about Wright Hassall, please visit their website here: www.wrighthassall.co.uk