Temporary Workers Employed via Agencies

Summary

The requester asked for data on temporary administrative workers employed via agencies by the Isle of Man Cabinet Office from January 2023 to September 2024. The authority disclosed that 25 such workers were engaged during this period, providing a monthly breakdown of the figures.

Key Facts

• The request was initially narrowed due to a potential practical refusal under Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• A total of 25 temporary workers were engaged by the Cabinet Office via third-party recruitment agencies between 1 January 2023 and 9 September 2024.
• All disclosed temporary workers were employed in an administrative capacity.
• The highest number of temporary workers engaged in a single month was 5, occurring in July 2024.
• The response covers the period from January 2023 through September 2024.

Data Disclosed

• 25
• 13
• 12
• 5
• 1st January 2023
• 9th September 2024
• 2023
• 2024
• Section 8(3)
• Section 11(3)(b)
• 4111297

Exemptions Cited

• Section 8(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (substantial research, analysis and compilation)
• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (practical refusal)

Original Request

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act and would be grateful if you could provide the following details: The number of temporary workers engaged by the department by third party recruitment agencies for the following periods, 2023 & 2024 please could these be broken down by grade, AA, AO, Secretary, EO etc. I look forward to hearing from you. On 24 September 2024 we wrote to you as follows: It has been determined that in order to attempt to provide you with the information you have requested, the Cabinet Office would be required to undertake substantial research, analysis and compilation of the information that it holds, which under Section 8(3) ofthe Freedom of Information Act 2015, Cabinet Office is not required to do. Owing to this, in it's current form, it is likely that your request would be subject to a practical refusal under Section 11(3)(b) of the Act.   In order to attempt to remove this practical refusal reason, we would invite you to consider re-phrasing your request, or narrowing the scope of your request, bearing in mind the information stated above. In addition, when referencing time periods, you may wish to specify whether the periods you refer to relate to calendar or financial years. On 25 September 2024 you replied: Hi There,  Thank you for coming back to us and I appreciate your comments.  Would it be possible to reword the request to the following:  Please provide the number of secretarial and administrative temporary workers employed via agencies, for the time period 1st January 2023 - Present. This can be provided per month e.g. (Jan, Feb, Mar) or the total number for the period requested.   Look forward to hearing from you. 

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 4111297 1 November 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 9 September 2024, which states:

"I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act and would be grateful if you could provide the following details:

The number of temporary workers engaged by the department by third party recruitment agencies for the following periods, 2023 & 2024 please could these be broken down by grade, AA, AO, Secretary, EO etc.

I look forward to hearing from you.”

On 24 September 2024 we wrote to you to advise that to provide you with the information you have requested, the Cabinet Office would be required to undertake substantial research, analysis and compilation of the information that it holds, which under Section 8(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, Cabinet Office is not required to do. Owing to this, in its current form, it is likely that your request would be subject to a practical refusal under Section 11(3)(b) of the Act.

In order to attempt to remove this practical refusal reason, we asked of if you could re-phrasing your request, or narrowing the scope of your request. In addition, when referencing time periods, you may wish to specify whether the periods you refer to relate to calendar or financial years.

On 25 September 2024 you replied:

“Would it be possible to reword the request to the following:

Please provide the number of secretarial and administrative temporary workers employed via agencies, for the time period 1st January 2023 - Present. This can be provided per month e.g. (Jan, Feb, Mar) or the total number for the period requested. "

Our response to your request is as follows:

During the period 1st January 2023 to 9th September 2024, Cabinet Office engaged a total of 25 temporary workers sourced from third party recruitment agencies. All the temporary workers engaged were done so in an administrative capacity.

Temporary Workers engaged by the Cabinet Office by month engaged

Number of Temporary Workers engaged by the Cabinet Office, by month engaged

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Total 2023 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 0 2 2 0 0 13 2024 1 1 0 0 1 2 5 1 1

12

25

Please quote the reference number 4111297 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im.Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.
I will now close your request as of this date. ###

Freedom of Information Coordinator