Jun 2011

Is your Recruiter compliant?

Whether as a result of austerity measures implemented as the UK continues it’s slow emergence from recession, or as a consequence of pressure from clients to reduce charge rates as the economy still squeezes margins for most UK businesses, some recruiters, it would appear, are not being as vigilant as they should be when it comes to legal compliance.

Following a combined operation this month involving 17 officers from the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) and HMRCs National Minimum Wage inspection department, almost all recruiters visited in Exeter were found to be in breach of employment laws including breaches of NMW regulations.

Neither EAS or the NMW Inspectorate have, as yet, published exactly what offences these agencies have committed, but it is nonetheless concerning that so many agencies - whether knowlingly or otherwise - were found to be non-compliant with basic employment regulation.

Absolute Recruitment UK Ltd is regulated and inspected regularly by the Gangmasters Licencing Authority. The company’s last compliance inspection demonstrated that Absolute is dedicated to the highest standards of compliance, with no issues being raised whatsoever. Furthermore, our most recent NMW inspection showed that the company was also fully compliant with NMW regulations.

Clients and candidates who might be concerned that their agency is not complying with statutory regulations can contact the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate through the Department for Business Innovation and Skills website by clicking here, or can contact the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (in confidence) by completing an online complaint form by clicking here.