Conduct Regulations 2003 Opt Out - What is it?

[syn]

I've got this page attatched to the back of my current contract extension and although I've searched on the forums for an explaination of what it is, am still a little confused.

Can anybody please tell me (in Layman's terms) what this actually is? I know it's nothing to do with IR35 and my agency said "just leave it", but I would still like to know.

Thanks.

[The Lone Gunman]

We have done this a lot. Search the threads.

You need to understand the regs, your agent does not want you to be well informed.

Read, learn and inwardly digest: http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file24248.pdf

[syn]

We have done this a lot. Search the threads.

You need to understand the regs, your agent does not want you to be well informed.

Read, learn and inwardly digest: http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file24248.pdf

Thanks for the link and I will give it a read, but in the meantime, can anybody offer that request of a Layman's interpretation?

[malvolio]

Thanks for the link and I will give it a read, but in the meantime, can anybody offer that request of a Layman's interpretation?

Jeez, search for "Agency Regulations" or "Opt out" on this forum and see what turns up. But just in case, the latest posting from me is here:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/showp...39&postcount=4

[syn]

Jeez, search for "Agency Regulations" or "Opt out" on this forum and see what turns up. But just in case, the latest posting from me is here:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/showp...39&postcount=4

Again, thanks for the reply but this link still doesn't explain to me what it is.

If you rescan my first post you'll see that I already have searched the forums and I am confused as to what the Conduct Regulations 2003 actually are and what purpose they have.

Any further advice appreciated.

[malvolio]

Again, thanks for the reply but this link still doesn't explain to me what it is.

If you rescan my first post you'll see that I already have searched the forums and I am confused as to what the Conduct Regulations 2003 actually are and what purpose they have.

Any further advice appreciated.

So which bit of "The agency regs are primarily intended to protect the interests of agency workers (like office temps, that kind of worker) and not contractors as we understand the term." do you not understand?

The full text is on the DTI website and believe me it's not an easy read - but the preamble to the guidance they issue contains "The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (the Regulations) govern the conduct of the private recruitment industry and establish a framework of minimum standards that clients, both work-seekers and hirers, are entitled to expect". There's also a detailed guide on the PCG website, if you're a member.

95% of its provisions are totally immaterial to the average IT contractor - are you concerned about holiday pay, retentions for sick pay, hours of service before overtime is due, greivance procedures with your employer...?.

The only bit that matters to you as an contractor is the opt out and why you need to consider it, and that is breifly explained in the post I originally referred to.

[syn]

Thanks I'll give it a thorough read. Looks like I may have a busy night ahead!