Thursday, February 14, 2013

New law gives temporary workers right to know

Effective January 31, 2013, employment agencies in Massachusetts must provide temporary employees with certain written information before the employees go to a new work assignment.
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The new law also prohibits staffing agencies from certain activities or conduct such as providing false or misleading information to an applicant or employee or charging temporary employees for some services related to employment.

A staffing agency FAQ and a sample fillable job order are available on the Mass. Dept. of Labor Standards website.  DLS also provides a Registered Placement Agency List and a Licensed Employment Agency List there.

Staffing agencies must be either licensed as employment agencies or registered as placement agencies by the Department of Labor Standards in order to conduct business in the state, regardless of whether or not the agency has a physical office within state borders, in accordance with the Employment Agency Law, M.G.L. c. 140, §§46B.