I run an IT company and employ a mix of permanent and agency staff. One of the agency staff has been working with the company continually for the past 11 months now. I've heard that when this person has completed a full 12 months with my company, he could be entitled to the same employment rights as permanent staff. Is this true?

The short answer to this question is that it is true. Once an employee has completed a full 12 months with their employer they have the right not to be unfairly dismissed. This is one of the only employment rights that is dependent on length of service. Unfair dismissal, however, does require that the individual was an employee.