Agency workers and injuries at work

Croatoan

Does anyone know whether if as an agency worker I am injured or, more likely, assaulted at work and cannot work because of it I would be entitled to anything more than SSP? As a mental health nurse the risk of assault is quite high and I've known several nurses and carers who've been seriously hurt by patients, but they've always been regulars and if NHS they received full pay while sick and if private most continued to receive full pay (at manager's disgression).
As an agency worker I don't know if I have the same protection being that I don't have a set wage and am employed by the agency rather than the company running the hospital, care home etc that I'm working at.

anamenottaken

Croatoan wrote: »

Does anyone know whether if as an agency worker I am injured or, more likely, assaulted at work and cannot work because of it I would be entitled to anything more than SSP? As a mental health nurse the risk of assault is quite high and I've known several nurses and carers who've been seriously hurt by patients, but they've always been regulars and if NHS they received full pay while sick and if private most continued to receive full pay (at manager's disgression).
As an agency worker I don't know if I have the same protection being that I don't have a set wage and am employed by the agency rather than the company running the hospital, care home etc that I'm working at.

I'd suggest you contact the RCN. You pay them for advice and they should know. Their member support services include "a group dedicated to looking after those who have been injured at work".

Missme

Agency or direct employee, you should expect the sane duty of care.

I would assume there may ben issue if you were self-employed (umbrela company sorting your pay) as you would not be an employee but a contractor.

Croatoan

No, not with an umbrella company.
Not with the RCN either, though you're right, I'll contact my union.
Thanks