Contractors have been left in the dark over how the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) will be implemented in October 2010, according to one expert.

Speaking to Contractorcalculator, umbrella company Parasol chief executive Rob Crossland said that when the regulations do come in to force, those in the contracting workforce should work together to ensure the flexibility of the industry is not stifled.

He told the website: "This could create a very real danger of dragging many innocent businesses, and workers, unnecessarily into the scope of the legislation. At worst, it could cripple the UK's flexible workforce and damage competitiveness."

Mr Crossland added that the complexity and consequences of the AWR mean that guidance on implementation from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills will have to cover the whole supply chain.

Plans for the AWR came about following a deal between the government, unions and the Confederation of British Industry in May 2008.