About us

We protect the rights of agency workers by ensuring that employment agencies and businesses treat their workers fairly.

Who we are

The Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate is based within the Department for Business and Trade. We employ staff across the UK, including Scotland and Wales.

Our responsibilities

We are responsible for:

  • working with employment agencies and businesses to help them comply with the law
  • investigating complaints received from agency workers
  • taking enforcement action through the powers at our disposal, including prosecution and unlimited fines
  • recovering unpaid wages or money owed to temporary workers and unlawful fees charged to workers
  • identifying agency workers at risk of exploitation, working alongside our partner organisations
  • supporting the role of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, who sets the strategic direction for labour market enforcement bodies

Our priorities

EAS priorities are:

  • raising awareness of agency workers’ rights to ensure employment agencies and businesses, as well as those that work with them, are aware of the law
  • providing a quality service so that agency workers are aware of how to make a complaint and how we can assist them
  • working closely with our partner organisations as well as with trade unions and industry to support compliance with the law and identify potential risks and emerging trends
  • maximising the use of our enforcement powers, where appropriate
  • continuous improvement as changes are made to our remit and powers

Who we work with

We work with a number of partner organisations:

Corporate information

Jobs and contracts

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