Specialist recruitment firm Hays says it is “defending itself vigorously” against allegations of racism that have been made against the company to the Employment Tribunal Service (ETS) by two recruitment consultants. The claim was filed with ETS on 7 December 2008, the service told Recruiter.

“These allegations are completely untrue,” the company said in a statement to Recruiter.

The ETS identified the complainants as Mr K Snagg and Mr C Dube. A full hearing is expected to be held in March or April, an ETS spokesperson said, subject to the case being withdrawn or settled.

“Hays abhors racism and is committed to the prevention of any unlawful or unfair discrimination. Breaches of our Equal Opportunity Policy are not tolerated and allegations of any such behaviour are taken extremely seriously and fully investigated.

“As these matters are the subject of ongoing legal processes it is not appropriate to comment further.”