Improved pregnancy rights

After 12 weeks on the same assignment for the same hirer, pregnant temporary agency workers are entitled to:

• reasonable paid time off to attend ante-natal appointments when on assignments; and

• the offer of an alternative assignment for pregnancy-related reasons or to be suspended on full pay when a suitable assignment is not available (Maternity Suspension).

From 1 October 2014, after 12 weeks’ service, agency workers who are partners of pregnant women are also entitled to unpaid time off to accompany her to up to two ante-natal appointments (Children and Families Act 2014).

There are rules in the AWRs governing the calculation of the 12-week period, as well as anti-avoidance rules aimed at preventing abuse by employers, who might, for example, try to arrange gaps between assignments or rotate workers between jobs or hirers. Breach of these anti-avoidance rules can lead to an award of up to £5,000 compensation.