Time Tracking and Temp Agencies: Who Records the Assigned Worker's Hours
The temp agency triangle
In an assignment through a temporary work agency (ETT) three parties are involved: the agency (formal employer), the user company (where the service is provided) and the assigned worker. This raises doubts about who controls the working hours.
Who records the working hours
Although the worker is hired by the agency, they provide services under the direction of the user company. It is the latter that organises the work and therefore must guarantee the time tracking of the assigned worker, just as with its own staff.
The assigned worker clocks in at the user company, which directs their daily activity.
Each party's responsibilities
- User company: organises the work, controls the working hours and ensures risk prevention.
- Agency: formal employer, pays the salary and contributions; must receive working-hours information for the payslip.
- Worker: records their entries and exits like any employee.
Why it matters
Correct tracking of the assigned worker avoids problems in the payslip, in overtime control and before an inspection, which can target both the agency and the user company.
With RegulaKit the user company controls the working hours of all its workers, including those assigned by a temp agency. Discover it on our platform.
Conclusion
The worker assigned by a temp agency records their working hours at the user company, which directs their activity. Coordinating the information between the user company and the agency guarantees compliance and a correct payslip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who controls the working hours of a temp agency worker?
The user company, which directs their daily activity, must guarantee the time tracking of the assigned worker.
Does the assigned worker clock in at the agency or the user company?
At the user company, where they actually provide their services under its direction.
What role does the agency play in the record?
It is the formal employer: it pays and contributes, and must receive the working-hours information to prepare the payslip.
Whom can the Labour Inspectorate inspect?
Both the agency and the user company, according to each one's responsibilities.
Does the assigned worker have the same clocking obligations?
Yes, they record their entries and exits like any other employee of the user company.