Irwin Mitchell Issues Legal Proceedings On Behalf Of 50 Claimants Over Unequal Treatment Of Agency Workers

National law firm Irwin Mitchell is pursuing a group action campaign on behalf of 50 agency workers in their employment tribunal claims against Angard Staffing Solutions Ltd and Royal Mail Group Ltd.

The basis of the claim is to challenge the unequal treatment of agency workers and the law firm is urging other individuals who have faced the same prejudicial treatment to come forward and join the claim. 

Under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, agency workers have a right to no less favourable treatment compared to employees who are employed by the end user (in this case, Royal Mail). They have the right to the same treatment as comparable employees with respect to basic employment and working conditions, once they have completed a qualifying period of 12 weeks in a particular job. This will cover issues such as bonuses, annual leave, rest breaks, night work, paid time off from ante-natal appointments.

In addition agency workers have day one rights to be treated the same as a comparable worker in relation to access to collective facilities and amenities provided by the hirer to direct hires, including gym facilities, access to staff canteen or similar facilities, transport services and childcare facilities such as access to a crèche.

The employees of Angard Staffing Solutions Ltd, who have been engaged as agents for Royal Mail have today lodged claims in the Leeds Employment Tribunal through Irwin Mitchell who have today served these claims on both Respondents.  

The Group are represented by Employment Partner Shazia Khan of Irwin Mitchell and Barrister Adam Ohringer of Cloisters Chambers.

Expert Opinion

“Agency workers should have the same employment rights as the end user’s employees, but it is all too often evident that this has not been the case. It is disappointing that many employers do not fulfil their legal duties towards agency workers. Hopefully this case will put the issue firmly back in the spotlight and enable individuals to enforce their employment rights.

“At Irwin Mitchell we have a strong history of taking group actions and we have put this into practice today. We have now issued the claims in the Leeds Employment Tribunal on behalf of 50 Claimants and served the legal proceedings on both Angard Staffing Solutions Ltd and Royal Mail Group. On behalf of my clients I urge the Respondents to pick up the phone and call me to enable a constructive and equitable resolution to be achieved to this longstanding dispute.”
Shazia Khan - Partner

Ashfaq Ahmed, one of the claimants, who lives in Bradford said: “Numerous hard-working agency workers like myself are being denied the basic treatment and benefits that they are rightfully entitled to. We are disappointed that despite being committed hard working staff, the company sees fit to deny us the basic rights and benefits that are enjoyed by Royal Mail employees every day. I would encourage individuals who have faced the same prejudicial treatment as I have to come forward and join our group claim to ensure that their rights are no longer ignored.”

Individuals who have faced the same prejudicial treatment working for Angard Staffing Solutions can join the claim. For further information, please call 0808 231 6900 or click here to send an email.