Employment agencies and employment businesses: record keeping

The Department for the Economy's Employment Agency Inspectorate (EAI) is responsible for regulating the conduct of employment agencies and employment businesses in Northern Ireland.

The EAI's main way to check that employment agencies and businesses are complying with the law is by sending inspectors to visit the agency or business and carry out an inspection.

EAI inspectors investigate complaints, follow up allegations of misconduct, and undertake targeted checks of employment agencies and businesses.

All EAI inspectors carry official identification. They are able to enter domestic or commercial premises that they have reason to believe are used, or have been used, for the purposes of an employment agency or business. They have powers to inspect those premises and any records or documents necessary to ensure compliance with 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).

Inspectors may require proof to decide whether employment agencies and businesses are complying with their legal obligations. They can specifically request documents and financial records to ensure compliance while they are on the premises. Inspectors may also copy documents, or remove documents for the purposes of copying them or request in writing any record, document, or information be provided to them at a time and place of their choice so avoiding the need to revisit the premises.

For the definitions of an employment business and an employment agency, see employment agencies and employment businesses.