Guides › Work and Employment › Agency Worker Rights: Day One and After 12 Weeks
Agency Worker Rights: Day One and After 12 Weeks
From your first day as an agency worker you can use the same shared facilities as permanent staff, such as the canteen and car parking. After 12 weeks in the same job you are entitled to equal treatment, including the same pay as a permanent colleague doing the same job and paid annual leave.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Rights
From Day One
A worker's employment rights and the same right as permanent colleagues to use shared facilities and services, such as canteens, creches and transport. source
After 12 Weeks
Equal treatment, including equal pay with a permanent colleague doing the same job, automatic pension enrolment and paid annual leave. source
Counting the 12 Weeks
The count pauses for sick leave up to 28 weeks, breaks of 6 weeks or less, annual leave and some other absences. It restarts if you move to a different workplace, have a break of more than 6 weeks, or move to a substantially different role. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 12 weeksIn the same jobFor equal pay and conditions
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Keep a record of your start date and any breaks.
Step 2 of 4
After 12 weeks, ask the agency to confirm your pay matches permanent staff.
Step 3 of 4
Raise it with the agency in writing if not.
Step 4 of 4
Complain to the Fair Work Agency or get advice from Acas.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Fair Work Agency
Enforces agency worker rules.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
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If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/agency-workers-your-rights/your-rights-as-a-temporary-agency-worker Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026
- assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696126a5d6532b76df7dcd75/fair-work-agency-factsheet.pdf Checked 8 October 2026