The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is concerned temporary workers may miss out on the pensions they are due. In a new digital campaign, social media posts featuring events staff urge employers:

"If you employ temporary staff this summer, you must check your legal pensions duties towards them. Don't risk a fine. Find out more on our website." The new campaign, which will run throughout the summer, aims to reach more than 200,000 employers.

Don't risk a fine

Joey Patel, Director of Compliance at TPR, said: "Our message to employers is clear - whether you're employing temporary staff for a few days or the whole summer, your legal pension duties still apply.  

"We know the vast majority of employers are doing the right thing for their staff and have helped make AE a fantastic success, with more than 11 million workers enrolled since 2012. But we want to make sure no workers are missing out on a pension they are due. In sectors where employers are likely to hire seasonal staff, eligible workers may be at a greater risk of not getting what they are owed. If you're not sure of your AE duties, check up on them. Don't risk a fine."

TPR monitors employers of all sizes and has recovered more than £700 million in missing pension contributions owed to savers from employers since 2012. 

Helping employers stay compliant
A new digital timeline tool provided by TPR is helping employers stay on top of their duties. The online tool creates an individual tailored duties timeline for new employers, setting out what they need to do and when. More than 20,000 have used the tool since it was launched in October 2024. And to make it easy for employers to complete their declaration they have met their duties using a mobile device, the declaration of compliance site has been updated. The site has also had important improvements to support those with accessibility needs and enhance the overall user experience. 

What employers need to know
If you employ seasonal or temporary staff you must assess them individually every time you pay them, whether they work for you a few days or several months. If an employee meets the age and earnings criteria, they are eligible for automatic enrolment from day one.

To support you, TPR has step by step guidance on how to assess and enrol seasonal or temporary staff.

TPR has further guidance if you're employing staff whose hours and pay will vary, as your assessment of who to put into a pension scheme may take more time and effort.

Postponement   

Employers with temporary or seasonal staff can consider using postponement. This means they can choose to delay assessing who to put into a pensions scheme for up to three months.  

Running late?

If you think you may be late in meeting your duties to your temporary staff, you should tell TPR immediately, so that we can provide support to help you comply.