The Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) is to host a free public meeting and presentation with key representatives of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to discuss the proposed guidance on Agency Workers Regulations (AWR).

Held at the BIS Conference Centre on 12 April and open to all recruiters and hirers with an interest in AWR, the meeting will provide an opportunity for attendees to raise questions and comment directly to civil servants involved in drafting the guidance set to be published in draft form at the end of March/early April.

The current proposed guidance is to be open for comment for a short period following publication. Final guidance is expected to be published in May and the regulations themselves are set to come into force from 1 October.

Adrian Marlowe, chair of the ARC, says: “Since its inception the ARC has helped steer the direction of the Regulations, arguing against excessive measures and for a fair balance reflecting the realities of the recruitment industry.

“Now that many are awaiting the guidance, it is essential that the final copy addresses the key questions and provides the necessary clarity, to avoid misunderstanding and potential disputes down the line.”