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Radio 4 programme flags issue of ‘bogus jobs’ and shines light on compliance

This week’s Radio 4 ‘Face the Facts’ programme focused on the issue of ‘bogus’ jobs in Jobcentres and online jobs boards.

The programme found no evidence of any bad practice by agencies and focused on rogue employers and criminal gangs who use bogus adverts employers to get people to part with money. The REC was interviewed as part of the investigation and underlined the positive role that recruiters play by working constructively with Jobcentres.

The Radio 4 investigation looked into claims that it is too easy to advertise fake jobs via Jobcentre Plus and featured a number of jobseekers who have been the subject of elaborate frauds and who have handed over money as deposits for non-existent jobs.

Commenting on the issues raised, Clare Flower, REC Compliance Policy Advisor, says:

“There was no mention in the programme of any bad practice from agencies which is encouraging.  ‘Bogus’ jobs adverts are a source of huge frustration for job-seekers wherever the practice occurs and the REC will continue to plays its part through our professional standards work and by continuing to raise awareness amongst employers and candidates.

“The REC Code of Professional Practice includes specific measures on honesty and transparency in job adverts and our ongoing compliance review will ensure that we continue to raise the bar in terms of industry self-regulation.  If there is a need for more rigorous vetting of the opportunities advertised in jobcentres or on the Government’s YouGov web-site, the REC can play its part by helping jobcentre staff to recognise genuine law abiding agencies with a commitment to industry standards."

For more information on the REC’s ongoing ‘Compliance Review’ go to: http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/standards/reccompliancereview