Version 2.2 | April 2024
Acorn by Synergie is one of the UK’s leading recruitment companies. Acorn by Synergie offers permanent, temporary and contract recruitment solutions to employers, supported by a portfolio of training, learning and development solutions. Acorn by Synergie is a member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and ISO 9001:2015 accredited.
As a leading recruitment specialist, we have a great deal of experience in all types of recruitment, so will always be on hand to give you the advice and guidance you need to succeed in your role. When working with Acorn by Synergie we make it our business to listen. We will ensure that the communication, support and service you are given is of the highest level.
This handbook will provide you with some important information about working with Acorn, and the policies and procedures which will apply to you. It is important that you read this information carefully and that you seek clarification from your Acorn Representative when needed. You may also receive a client-specific handbook, which will provide you with further information specific to a particular assignment.
In addition to this Handbook, you will also receive a Key Information Document (KID), an Assignment Details Form and a Written Statement; all of which will contain specific details about your assignment and your engagement with Acorn.
Acorn by Synergie places agency workers into assignments with approximately 850 different client companies across the UK within various different sectors including; commercial, industrial, technical, steel, construction, rail, driving, food processing etc.
We will ensure that the assignment that you are offered suits your knowledge, skills and experience, and our experienced consultants will work with you to identify the best opportunities for you. Before each assignment, your Acorn Representative will provide you with full details of the assignment, including a written assignment confirmation.
Acorn by Synergie is a GLAA licence holder, Stronger Together Business Partner and complies with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code. This means that:
Wages are paid on a weekly basis, one week in arrears. Method of payment will be by direct credit into a bank / building society account of your choice each Friday. You must have your own bank account or a joint bank account which you have access to. Should there be any changes in your circumstances, please inform your Acorn Representative immediately.
Your weekly payslip will be available to view on Acorn’s online portal every Thursday. This provides a secure place for you to see current and previous payslips as and when you need – you will be emailed a personalised log-in and instructions on how you can use the portal.
We will require your National Insurance number as we are obliged by law to deduct National Insurance from your earnings and will tax you under the ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) scheme.
During your assignment you may be required to document your hours on a weekly timesheet. You must complete the timesheet honestly and accurately. Fraudulent completion of timesheets will result in the termination of your assignment.
The length of an assignment and the number of hours you work each week may vary. There may also be occasions when no work is available, and you are not entitled to receive any pay when you are not on an assignment.
When you begin an assignment, you will be advised of the start and finish times. You must make every effort to arrive in sufficient time to start work at your agreed start time. As we wish to provide the best possible service to our Clients, we take a serious view of lateness unless it is caused by circumstances beyond your control. Persistent lateness will result in the termination of your assignment.
You have no permanent place of work and your place of work will vary according to each assignment.
In accordance with your contract, an assignment can be ended at any time by yourself, the client or Acorn.
When an assignment ends, Acorn by Synergie will endeavour to find you an alternative assignment which matches your knowledge, skills and experience. If you no longer wish to be considered for other assignments, please request your P45 and outstanding holiday pay from your Acorn Representative. This will not be processed automatically; unless you haven’t received pay from us for more than 12 weeks.
After completing a 12 week AWR qualifying period, you will be entitled to receive the same basic employment and working conditions as if you had been recruited directly by the client. This includes: basic pay, overtime rates and holiday accrual etc. Your Acorn Representative will advise you of any applicable increases. Please note that the AWR qualifying period is affected by holiday, sickness and shutdown.
There are many benefits of working for Acorn by Synergie as you have access to Acorn Rewards; our candidate benefits platform. Via Acorn Rewards, you can access:
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For more information, visit our website; acornpeople.com/about-us/why-acorn
Acorn by Synergie uses NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) as its pension provider. Subject to qualifying eligibility criteria, you will be automatically enrolled as a member of this scheme after you have worked for Acorn for three months. If you wish to opt-out of the scheme, you must follow the instructions provided to you by NEST shortly after your enrolment. You will be required to make a weekly contribution to your pension and Acorn by Synergie will make a contribution too.
You will receive correspondence regarding the pension scheme during the course of your assignment. Further details about the NEST scheme, including conditions of eligibility, can be found at [www.nestpensions.org.uk.](http://www.nestpensions.org.uk./)
Acorn by Synergie cannot provide financial advice, so you must seek advice from NEST or your Financial Advisor.
Acorn by Synergie does not formally recognise a trade union, however all Agency Workers are free to join a trade union of their choice.
In the event that you are unable to work, for any reason, you must contact Acorn by Synergie and your Line Manager, as soon as possible, prior to your start time. Please make contact personally unless you are physically unable to do so. An answer-phone message should be left for Acorn by Synergie if out of hours or during the weekend. It is essential that you advise Acorn every day that you are unable to work.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
You will be entitled to receive statutory sick pay (SSP) if;
It is possible that during a period of sickness, a client will request a replacement worker. If this is the case, you will be informed that your assignment has ended. In these situations, you are no longer eligible to receive SSP as you are no longer on an assignment.
If you are ineligible for SSP for any reason, you will be issued with a SSP1 Form, which may enable you to obtain SSP from an alternative source.
Unauthorised absence, or failure to follow the correct absence reporting procedure may result in the termination of your assignment.
Acorn by Synergie reserves the right to require workers to have a medical examination by an Occupational Health Specialist or Independent Medical Adviser, with any report made by the doctor supplied to the Company. If it is necessary to seek information from your own doctor or specialist, this will be done in accordance with the Access to Medical Reports Act.
If you are working as a Food Handler for one of our clients in the food industry, there are strict rules about sickness absence and returning to work after absence. People who work around food while suffering from certain illnesses are at risk of contaminating the food, surfaces the food may contact, and other people they work with.
If you are suffering from an illness that could be transmitted to another person via the food you are handling, then you are required by law to take time off work.
You cannot attend work if you have any of the following symptoms; infected wounds, skin infections, sores, sickness or diarrhoea. You shouldn’t return to work for 48 hours after your symptoms stop.
Prior to returning to work after absence, you will be required to complete a Food Handler Return to Work Questionnaire with your Acorn Representative.
The working week
The maximum working hours, under the Working Time Regulations, is an average of 48 hours per week over a 17 week reference period. If you would like to work more than 48 hours per week, your Acorn Representative will provide you with a Working Time Opt-out Form.
There is no obligation to sign the opt-out and with one week’s written notice you can end the agreement. If you do work more than 48 hours per week, it is recommended that you work no more than 60 hours per week for health and safety reasons.
You are entitled to the following rest breaks:
You must ensure that you have sufficient rest in order to protect your health and safety and that of your colleagues.
If you are under the age of 18, you;