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:

·         59 were resolved before a formal investigation was required.

·         46 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).

·         31 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 a decision to investigate.

“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,” REC chief executive Kevin Green said. “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,” Green said.

“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,” Green said.