REC Expels Valley Education Services Ltd Following Complaint from Worker

Valley Education Services Ltd (VES) has been expelled from Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) membership for breaching five principles of the REC Code of Professional Practice.   

Following a complaint by a worker, the REC undertook a comprehensive investigation including a site visit. VES was found in breach of the REC code, including Principle 1, respect for laws; Principle 2, respect for honesty and transparency; Principle 6, respect for professional knowledge; Principle 7, respect for certainty of engagement; and Principle 8, respect for prompt and accurate payment.

The case was referred to the REC’s Professional Standards Committee, which took the decision that VES should be expelled from REC membership. 

  

The REC has revealed that it dealt with 137 complaints against recruitment agencies in 2016:

• Fifty-nine were resolved before a formal investigation was required. 
  
• Forty-six enquiries were either not valid complaints, or fell outside of the REC’s remit. In these instances, the complainant was referred to a relevant statutory authority such as the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
  
• Thirty-one complaints resulted in formal investigations, some of which are ongoing. Where wrongdoing was found, members were compelled to demonstrate that corrections had been made to policies or processes, and that their staff were trained to follow the improved ways of working. 
  
• One case is pending decision to investigate. 
  

REC chief executive Kevin Green says: 

“We expect the highest standards of compliance and customer service from our members so that the REC badge is something clients and jobseekers can trust. The vast majority of our members recognise their responsibilities and operate professionally and ethically at all times.  

“In instances where a complaint is made about an REC member, we investigate and take appropriate action. We work with our members to help them comply, but if they don’t put in place corrective action we will expel them. 

 

“We have a duty to our members to deal robustly with instances of wrongdoing. We encourage clients and candidates with evidence of bad practice to get in touch so we can hold recruiters to account and ensure professional standards are provided throughout our industry.”

All recruitment agencies must adhere to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 and the Employment Agencies Act 1973, which are the main statutory rules governing the conduct of recruiters. REC members go beyond these statutory requirements by passing the REC compliance test and committing to follow the REC’s Code of Professional Practice.   

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 fulfill 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.

3. All corporate members are required to agree to adhere to the Code of Professional Practice, which is enforced through the REC’s complaints and disciplinary procedure. All corporate members must pass an online compliance test every two years to demonstrate sound understanding of relevant industry legislation. 

4. The REC is unable to investigate the conduct of agencies or individuals that are not REC members. Complaints regarding a non-member should be referred to the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). EAS has statutory authority over all recruitment agencies.

5. Jobs transform lives, which is why we are building the best recruitment industry in the world. As the professional body for recruitment we’re determined to make businesses more successful by helping them secure the people they need.  We are absolutely passionate and totally committed in this pursuit for recruiters, employers, and the people they hire. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com