Greater awareness of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s Code of Practice has seen the number enquiries and complaints rise by 25% in 2006.

The REC’s annual complaints report says that the Professional Standards team handled 685 enquiries and complaints last year. This is an increase of around 25% on the previous year, 50% of complaints were against members, while 26% were against non-members which were dealt with by providing alternative sources of advice and information. The remaining 23% were general enquiries.

REC chief executive, Marcia Roberts, says: “The continued increase in the number of complaints and queries is linked to a much greater awareness of the REC standards function rather than any increase in bad practice. 

“The overall number of complaints is in fact extremely low when you take into account the overall size of REC membership. The industry is becoming more professional and more accountable.”

* For more details on The REC’s annual complaint report see the next issue of Recruiter - out March 21.