The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has revealed that 193 recruitment agencies have been denied REC membership for failing to meet its compliance standards.
Of the total, 83 are former members who failed to pass the REC compliance test which was introduced in July 2012. Members had until December 31 2014 to pass the test and prove adherence to the REC’s Code of Professional Practice.
Passing the compliance test is now a prerequisite for REC membership, and 110 applicants have been denied entry because they have been unable to meet the required standards.
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The REC compliance test involves demonstrating sound understanding of the REC Code of Professional Practice, knowledge of relevant industry legislation, and committing to high ethical standards. REC members are now required to complete the compliance test every two years.
The REC continues to represent 82 percent of the UK’s £28.7 billion recruitment industry by revenue.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “Ninety-five percent of our members passed the compliance test before the December deadline and that’s terrific news. We have lost a few members because they couldn’t satisfy us that they met our high standards, but the upshot is that we now know all of our members are committed to being compliant and to upholding high standards.
“This is great news for clients and candidates who can trust that REC membership means quality and compliance.
“We’re looking forward to working with our members to continually drive up standards and improve the reputation of our industry. I encourage more agencies to talk to us about how we can help them ensure best practice and add value to their brand.”
REC members have praised the process.
Andrew Ribbans, commercial manager at Templeton and Partners Limited said: “The test was a welcome opportunity to demonstrate that compliance, both with legislation and the REC code, is at the heart of everything we do here at Templeton.”
Tony Colucci, company director at Construction Alliance Recruitment said: “If you are running a scrupulous company and adhering to relevant procedures, the REC compliance test is straightforward. The REC was extremely helpful, re-assuring and professional in helping me pass and I look forward to working with the REC for many years to come.”
Tom Phelan is an assistant editor at HRreview. Prior to this position, Tom was a staff writer at ITProPortal, where he travelled the globe in pursuit of the latest tech developments. He also writes for a variety of music blogs.