One Hundred and Ninety-three Agencies Not Good Enough for REC Membership

 

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.  

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 per cent of the UK’s £28.7 billion recruitment industry by revenue. 

REC chief executive Kevin Green said: 

“Ninety-five per cent 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.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584.

2. To qualify for REC membership applicant companies must be employment agencies or businesses which fulfil one or more of the following criteria:

• They have been trading for at least one year in the UK

• They are owned or operated by one or more individuals with more than one year of experience working in the recruitment industry

• They are owned or operated by one or more individuals who have attended the REC 3-day ‘Start up your own Agency’ course.