Agency Worker Pay Calculator

Agency workers in the UK have specific rights under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010. From day one, agency workers are entitled to access shared facilities and information about permanent vacancies. After completing a 12-week qualifying period in the same role with the same hirer, they gain the right to equal pay and conditions as if directly recruited.

Equal treatment after 12 weeks covers basic pay, overtime rates, holiday entitlement, rest periods, night work limits and access to collective facilities. It does not cover occupational sick pay, pension schemes, redundancy pay or maternity leave beyond the statutory minimum. Anti-avoidance rules prevent hirers from resetting the 12-week clock.

This calculator estimates your pay and entitlements based on whether you have completed the qualifying period. Enter your hourly rate, agency margin and weekly hours to see your take-home pay. After 12 weeks, it shows what your pay should be if equivalent permanent employees earn more.

Agency Workers Regulations 2010 — your rights. After 12 weeks in the same role at the same hirer, you're entitled to: (1) Equal pay to permanent comparator; (2) Equal access to facilities (canteen, gym, parking, transport); (3) Equal access to vacancy notices. Doesn't apply to: contractors via own PSC, employees of umbrella companies sometimes (depending on structure), genuine self-employed.

How the 12-week qualifying period works. Counts 'weeks worked' in role with same hirer. Gaps: under 6 weeks don't break the count; 6-28 weeks pause but don't reset (for some reasons like sickness, parental leave); 28+ weeks reset the clock. End assignment for 6 weeks specifically to avoid AWR — illegal abuse, can claim. Some hirers use 'Swedish Derogation' opt-out (pay between assignments at minimum 50% of last pay) — provides AWR exemption.

How agency pay structure works. Agency takes commission (typically 15-25% of hirer's rate). What you see is the NET to you after agency cut. Umbrella company adds another 5-12% to cover employer NI, holiday accrual, apprenticeship levy. End-to-end: hirer pays agency £25/hr; agency pays umbrella £21/hr; umbrella pays you £17-£18/hr after deductions. Direct PAYE without umbrella usually slightly better-paying.

Holiday pay and statutory rights. Even as a temp, you accrue: 5.6 weeks paid holiday (28 days FT pro-rata), Statutory Sick Pay if eligible, Statutory Maternity/Paternity Pay, statutory minimum wage. Agency must give written statement of terms by day 1 (Employment Rights Act 1996, since April 2020). Common abuses: 'rolled up holiday pay' (illegal — must be paid as you take leave), withholding sick pay, denying statutory rights.