Agency Workforce Regulations - 12 week qualifying period

[thetapeworm]

The Agency Workforce Regulations came in on the 1st of October 2011 - does anyone know how this is applied to people already working via an agency with regards to the 12 week qualifying period?

For example if someone has worked in their role via an agency for a year and continues in this position have they already completed the 12 week qualifying period on the 1st of October or does start at that point so any changes are then applied from the 24th of December? (12 weeks from the 1st)

An example of why I'm asking:

"John" used to do a 40 hour week but the new regulations mean that his contract has been standardised to 35 hours match that given to permanent employees of the company he works for via an agency. Should this have come into force when the regulations did on the 1st or on the 24th of December following 12 weeks of qualification?

[stevenr]

The 12 weeks started on the 1st of October according to all the paperwork we received about it,regardless of how long you have been in a position before this date you have to work the 12 weeks from then.

It was all very confusing for me at 7 o clock on a Monday morning.

[thetapeworm]

Cheers, I thought that would be the case but thought it best to check.