Professor Chris Warhurst responds to launch of Fair Work Agency (FWA)

Professor Chris Warhust, Director, Institute for Employment Research, said: “Launched on 7 April 2026, the Fair Work Agency has the opportunity drive positive change through better educating employers, promoting compliance, and providing infrastructure to truly strengthen enforcement of employment regulation.

The Agency faces five immediate challenges:

• Bringing together a number of bodies to operate as one organisation, with a single voice, distinct profile and clear identity. This is vital to capture public and political support.

• Managing expectations, both on enforcing employment regulation and on pro-actively supporting employers’ compliance.

• Improving inspection and regulation in a time of resource constraint.

• Building collaboration with Acas, Citizens Advice, consumer groups, civil society organisations and trade unions, to avoid duplication and enhance the agency’s resource base.

• Acting swiftly to make a difference ordinary people’s working lives, within the remaining parliamentary term.

“With strong leadership, a tripartite advisory board and a consultative approach there is room for optimism.”