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REC welcomes enforcement drive

With the REC calling on Government to maintain and enhance current enforcement mechanisms - despite the public expenditure cuts,  two recent tribunal decisions have provided evidence of a concerted drive by it to address examples of non-compliance.

 One employment tribunal decision banned a recruitment agency director from running an agency for seven years after she allegedly withheld over £11,000 from staff.

The case was brought under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EASI) within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. A further tribunal ruling this week resulted in the owners of a recruitment company being banned for ten years for false accounting.  

 Commenting on the recent cases, Lewina Farrell, the REC’s Head of Professional Services said:  

“We fully support the enforcement drive. Agencies that mistreat workers and flout regulations are often able to undercut legitimate, law abiding providers. They also reflect badly on the industry as a whole. The sanctions imposed in the recent tribunal cases send out a powerful message and should act as a deterrent. 

 “Looking ahead, Government enforcement must continue to be properly targeted. As well as driving our own standards agenda though the Industry Code of Practice and the work of the IRP, the REC is committed to working closely with Government inspectorates to address examples of bad practices.”