Nine out of 10 corporate members of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) support the idea that “robust self-assessment should be part of the trade body’s joining process”, according to a survey. The survey, part of a major compliance review being undertaken by the REC, also found that 83% supported “robust self-assessment” as a way of engaging members on their level of compliance. Three quarters of respondents said the REC should strengthen compliance with its Code of Professional Practice and the Conduct Regulations.

The results of the survey mirror proposals put forward by the REC as part of the review:

• Staffing companies joining the REC would be required to pass an online assessment test before gaining membership.
• Corporate members renewing their membership would be required to pass an online self-assessment test at least every two years.
• The REC is developing a new online assessment tool that would be used to provide an in-depth test of a member’s knowledge and awareness of the REC’s Code of Professional Practice and relevant industry legislation.
• Agencies that failed the tests would have further opportunities to pass within a specified period, and would receive guidance and support from the REC to help them pass for example, through compliance workshops.
• Agencies that continued to fail the test would have to wait six months before being allowed to take the test again.

The REC also proposes an easy method of keeping existing members compliant through a “risk-based approach”.

It is now about looking to fail agencies and remove them from membership. Our job is to raise the standards of the industry by helping members to become compliant

CLARE FLOWER, COMPLIANCE POLICY ADVISER, RECRUITMENT & EMPLOYMENT CONFEDERATION

Clare Flower, the REC’s compliance policy adviser, told Recruiter: “The focus is on establishing clear expectations of being an REC corporate member and helping members achieve the required standards.

“It is not about looking to fail agencies and remove them from membership. Our job is to raise the standards of the industry by helping members to become compliant.”

The REC said it doesn’t intend to implement anything this year, but that it wants to explore the ideas proposed and test and pilot them.