As the employment of temps in the UK becomes more complex, there are considerable implications for people management and the quality of working lives. This article maps key developments in agency work, from the perspectives of both regulation, client-supplier relationships, people management and performance.

To continue reading, log in or become a member

Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.

  • Access to exclusive, up-to-date resources
  • Become part of a community to learn, debate and connect with other people professionals
  • Free access to a series of CIPD learning courses and a discount on the rest of our catalogue

Reviewed by

Jonny Gifford, former Senior Adviser for Organisational Behaviour, CIPD

Jonny’s work centred on conducting applied research in employment and people management, and strengthening links between academia and practice. He led the CIPD’s work on evidence-based HR and academic knowledge exchange.

Jonny is an Academic Member of the CIPD, a Fellow of the Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa), and a PhD candidate at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

More on this topic

Data

Data hub

Explore the evidence behind workforce trends

Employment law

Fixed-term workers: Ireland employment law

Introductory guidance on the law relating to fixed-term workers

For Members
Policy engagement

CIPD consultation response: Zero-hours contracts for agency workers

Our response to the Department for Business and Trade’s consultation on the application of zero hours contracts measures to agency workers. 

Latest Bitesize research

Bitesize research

Leading an agile workforce – lessons from the NHS

Katie Stickland, CIPD Knowledge Exchange Manager, reviews research examining how strategies around agile working were utilised within the NHS and distils the lessons for HR professionals, line managers and organisations

For Members
Bitesize research

How employers can organise their workforce to optimise productivity

We summarise research examining how the way workers are matched to jobs can have important implications for current and future productivity for their organisations

For Members
People in an office
Bitesize research

Using redeployments to retain and strengthen knowledge

Research examines how organisations can use redeployments to properly manage and grow knowledge sharing across their business and wider networks

For Members
Bitesize research

Is office space essential for productive work?

Evaluating the pros and cons of working in shared office spaces, and how they impact on productivity

For Members
All Bitesize research