HR professionals are changing their perception of the recruitment industry following the introduction of new standards for membership to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

A preliminary survey by the REC found that 95% of HR managers polled would prefer to use an agency that subscribed to a Code of Practice, while a further 87% said they would feel more confident using an agency which had undergone an REC inspection.

REC chief executive Marcia Roberts says: “This is an encouraging and clear indication from our HR colleagues that the new levels of entry and services are making a real difference in the way they perceive the standards and professionalism of our members.

“We planned carefully to ensure that the new offer would find favour with our members in reducing the risk of wasting their subscription fees and that end-users would see we have gone that extra mile to make them feel that they are receiving the best possible service from our agencies.”

The preliminary poll comes ahead of a strategic client survey to be release in summer.