Two years is too long to wait to assess the impact of AWR, according to recruitment giant Hays.

Earlier this week Edward Davey MP, minister for employment relations confirmed to Recruiter.co.uk that the government was looking ahead to a two-year review of the legislation’s impact.

But a spokesperson at Hays said: “While we are relieved to hear that the AWR will definitely be reviewed, we are disappointed that this won’t be done sooner – two years will be too long to wait. One year would be sufficient for us to properly assess its impact so that any changes can be incorporated.

“On Monday we launched a report with the CBI, which stressed the importance of not burdening businesses with employment legislation like the AWR and retaining the UK’s flexible workforce.

“It is imperative that the AWR is implemented in a business-friendly manner because the government should be doing all that it can to encourage businesses to invest. Gold-plating EU legislation and allowing two years before it is formally reviewed won’t help businesses to contribute to the growth of the UK economy.” 

The regulations are intended to give temporary agency workers parity in pay and employment conditions with permanent staff doing the same job. To qualify, the temporary worker must be engaged for 12 weeks to do the same job with the same employer.