Fair Work Agency has its work cut out!

A recent study has found that millions of workers across the UK may have experienced breaches of their employment rights over the past two years. The research estimates that around 14% of employees were affected by issues such as underpayment, missing employment documentation, or unlawful workplace practices.

The findings were released alongside the launch of the Fair Work Agency, a new government body established to oversee and enforce workplace protections. The agency, introduced earlier this year, is intended to combine employment-rights enforcement under one regulator with powers to investigate businesses, carry out inspections, and issue penalties where necessary.

A survey of more than 4,000 workers throughout the UK identified a range of problems affecting employees in many sectors, including failure to provide legally required payslips or contracts, charging prohibited recruitment fees, and paying below the legal minimum wage.

The report highlighted that workers in insecure or unstable forms of employment faced the greatest risks. People considered to be in “precarious” work, such as those on low incomes, employed in temporary or irregular jobs, or working in small businesses while also belonging to migrant or minority ethnic communities, were significantly more likely to experience breaches of workplace rights.

The study also examined broader workplace harms beyond clear legal breaches. A large proportion of workers reported experiences such as unpaid overtime, bullying, work-related stress, difficulties taking leave, or physical injury connected to their jobs. Mental health impacts linked to work were among the most commonly reported concerns.

The report recommended improving public awareness of employment rights and making it easier and safer for workers to report abuses. It also suggested introducing stronger safeguards for migrant workers and increasing proactive inspections and enforcement activity by regulators.

With the new enforcement body expected to gain stronger powers, businesses are likely to face greater scrutiny and higher risks for non-compliance in the future.

Should you have any questions on this subject contact 121 HR Solutions at enquiries@121hrsolutions.co.uk.

Fair Work Agency has its work cut out!

121 HR Solutions Ltd