Agency Worker Rights - WFH

Emrys11

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get some advice and clarity on my current situation.
I’ve been working for an agency for just over 9 months now. Due to the pandemic, all permanent colleagues on my current team were offered the opportunity to work from home due to certain circumstances. For the past few months, I have been the only member in my department in office.
I’m aware agency workers on other teams have also been given this option of wfh, as well as putting into place a wfh/office rotational plan.

Now I raised the matter of wanting to wfh and having a laptop almost 2 months ago, along with my concerns; I have been chasing it up since with the agency and my manager only to be given the run around and receiving vague and untruthful answers.

Is there anything I can do about this situation. Is there a legal requirement the company aren’t complying with?

Jeremy535897

If you are the only one in the office, there cannot be any health and safety issues with you working in the office, so if that's what the employer wants, there is nothing you can do about it.

Emrys11

I’m the only member in my team who is currently in office; there are still many other colleagues in the office itself, from various other departments.
My primary concern is that I live with a clinically vulnerable person, I myself also fall under this category, so the fact that I’ve been excluded from the wfh option seemed somewhat discriminatory.

Jeremy535897

If the employer has followed health and safety rules, including taking into account your own health status, I don't think there is much you can do. Employers are not required to consider the health of your household members.

Emrys11

Jeremy535897 said:

If the employer has followed health and safety rules, including taking into account your own health status, I don't think there is much you can do. Employers are not required to consider the health of your household members.

In reference to vulnerable household members, government guidance seems to suggest otherwise. Clearly something my employer seems to selectively follow.

I was under the impression after 12 weeks, agency workers should be afforded the same opportunities and rights as permanent staff?

Thrugelmir

Emrys11 said:

Jeremy535897 said:

If the employer has followed health and safety rules, including taking into account your own health status, I don't think there is much you can do. Employers are not required to consider the health of your household members.

I was under the impression after 12 weeks, agency workers should be afforded the same opportunities and rights as permanent staff?

Far far longer. 

Dr_Crypto

Nobody has a right to WFH unless it’s in their contract which would be very unusual. 

Dr_Crypto

Nobody has a right to WFH unless it’s in their contract which would be very unusual. 

poppy12345

Emrys11 said:

Jeremy535897 said:

If the employer has followed health and safety rules, including taking into account your own health status, I don't think there is much you can do. Employers are not required to consider the health of your household members.

In reference to vulnerable household members, government guidance seems to suggest otherwise.

Exactly, it's just guidance. Lots of people have continued to work right from the start and they live with vulnerable people. Shielding has also ended in England.

You have a job, there's thousands of people who no longer have this. Yes, speak to your employer if you're not happy but if you value your job then maybe it's better to say nothing at all.