The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS), are the government’s regulator for private recruitment agencies in England, Scotland and Wales.
They are part of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
They:
- inspect recruitment agencies to check they comply with the law
- investigate complaints about recruitment agencies that they get from agency workers and others
They are responsible for ensuring recruitment agencies comply with the following laws:
- the Employment Agencies Act 1973 (as amended)
- the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (as amended)
View guidance for recruitment agencies on these laws.
They have the power to consider enforcement action where they find serious or repeat non-compliance.
EAS do not charge fees for the services they provide, including investigating complaints made by agency workers.
If you need to contact EAS to make a complaint, or if you have any questions:
- you can make a complaint by completing the online form on the gov.uk website
- email at eas@businessandtrade.gov.uk
- telephone on 020 4566 5333
- you can also reach EAS by contacting the ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100