In this month’s First Tuesday Q&A, Kevin Slattery, Associate in A&L Goodbody’s Employment Practice Group, provides some insights into the law relating to agency workers.

1. What is an agency worker?

An agency worker is defined under the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 (the Agency Worker Act) as "an individual employed by an employment agency under a contract of employment by virtue of which the individual may be assigned to work for, and under the direction and supervision of, a person other than the employment agency".

An agency worker is contracted with, employed by, and paid directly by an employment agency. They are placed by the employment agency