Employment agencies and employment businesses

If you are setting up a business to help people find work then it is likely your business is either an employment agency or an employment business or both.

Legislation that applies to employment agencies

When setting up a business you must follow the normal business start-up rules. When running an employment agency or business you must also comply with two specific pieces of legislation - the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (as amended) and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (as amended).

All UK employers must also be aware of their responsibility to check each prospective worker's eligibility to work in the UK.

This guide will explain the difference between employment agencies and employment businesses and set out the key rules and obligations under the employment agency legislation that you will need to comply with including the general principles to running an employment agency or an employment business, setting up an employment agency or employment business and licences for employment agencies.