AWR Software Provider Bond International Software Participates in Lively Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) Debate With MPs at APSCo House of Commons Reception

WORTHING, England, October 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Recruitment agency software provider Bond International Software and APSCo bring legislators and recruiters together to discuss the implications of the AWR at House of Commons Reception

AWR software provider, Bond International Software, http://www.bondinternationalsoftware.com  the recruitment agency software specialist, sponsored and took part in a lively AWR reception at the House of Commons on 13^th September 2011. The reception was hosted by the UK's leading professional recruitment industry body APSCo, and was also attended by Peter Stephens, Director of Labour Marketing, Strategy and Operations from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Jim Dowd MP. BIS will be responsible for implementing the AWR on 1^st October 2011, and thus Peter Stephen's input was gladly welcomed by all attendees.

Following on from a successful client event that Bond recently held on the subject of AWR compliance, AWR software provider Bond International Software sponsored the reception. As an affiliate member of APSCo, and the only software provider to sponsor the event, Bond International Software demonstrated its commitment to helping its clients become and remain AWR compliant.

The APSCo Reception is an annual, high profile event that attracts senior recruitment sector executives to listen to relevant parliamentary guest speakers. This year, with the introduction of the AWR just around the corner, the 180 recruitment sector executive attendees took the opportunity to quiz Peter Stephens and Jim Dowd MP about the implications that the regulations may have on their recruitment businesses.

Attendees were also invited to participate in a review of a further 200 pieces of employment law, which BIS will be working on over the next few months.

One point of contention raised was why BIS had not decided to introduce a blanket exemption for personal service company contractors, or temporary workers earning more than certain level of pay, and as such could not be considered 'vulnerable.' Stephens and Dowd however, alleviated concerns by stressing that whilst a rumoured last minute review of the regulations was unlikely, the Government will be assessing how the AWR is working in practice and make any changes it deems necessary in a few months' time.

Tim Richards, Managing Director of recruitment agency software specialist Bond International Software, comments, "Recruitment consultants across the UK have been hugely concerned about the implications that the AWR may have on day-to-day tasks, and this isn't without warrant. The regulations have permanently altered the temporary recruitment landscape and recruiters are therefore desperate for clear guidance as to how to avoid the penalties associated with breaching the regulations, as well as advice on purchasing a suitable AWR software package to assist in the transition. Events such as the APSCo House of Commons Reception are invaluable to the recruitment industry, as visitors can be offered demonstrations of AWR software, and front line practitioners and legislators can be brought together to discuss the implications of the regulations in fine detail. As well as sponsoring the APSCo House of Commons Reception, Bond shares APSCo's commitment to educating the industry about how to respond to the regulations. As a recruitment agency software specialist, we have committed to developing AWR software solutions that enable recruiters to become and remain compliant."

About Bond International Software

London stock market-listed Bond International Software plc is a global provider of human capital management (HCM) and AWR software and services.

Bond is the largest, and most established, global specialist in staffing and recruitment agency software for executive search firms worldwide and is a rapidly growing provider of web-based e-recruitment and talent acquisition software to the corporate market. Bond also provides established HR, payroll and AWR software as well as outsourcing services directly to both the public and private sectors.

Established in 1973 and listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1997, the company has consistently achieved financial growth and maximised investment in the development of technology and service provided to its international client base.

Bond, the AWR software provider, has over 37 years' experience in the development and creation of products and services that have become industry standards, such as their recruitment agency software. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the Group also has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan and Hong Kong - with a global team of nearly 500 employees, 3700 customers and over 100,000 users.

Bond's customers include some of the largest recruitment agencies in the world, some of the best known corporations and a large number of private and public sector organisations, including: Adecco, Hays, Michael Page, Manpower, Kelly's, Select, HBOS, Habitat, Co-op, Wincanton, Lego World, Ascot Racecourses, EasyJet, Bristol City Council, University of Huddersfield and North-West Fire Services. The AWR software provider sponsors a number of events including the APSCo House XX Commons Reception.

For further information, please contact:

Bond International Software

Tim Richards
Managing Director
Courtlands, Parklands Avenue, Worthing.
Tel +44(0)1903-707070

Press contact

Will Gardiner  
itpr
+44(0)1932-578-800

SOURCE Bond International Software