Your rights as an agency worker
Fees
Recruitment agencies cannot charge you a fee for finding or trying to find you work.
They can charge you for certain services, for example CV writing, training or transport. You have the right to cancel these as long as you give notice.
If any agency offers you services it:
- must give you full written details of the fee and conditions before charging you - including details of your right to cancel and the notice period
- cannot make you use these services as a condition for finding you work
There are different rules for entertainment and modelling agencies.
When you want to cancel a service
You can cancel paid services without a penalty. You must give a minimum of:
- 10 working days’ written notice to the agency to cancel living accommodation
- 5 working days’ notice for all other services, such as training courses
You can complain to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) if you think your agency has unfairly charged you or it will not refund you during the notice period.