Let us help you navigate the changing landscape of recruitment and guide you through future opportunities - whether you're a new, growing or established recruitment business. The REC membership is your key to unlocking your full potential.
The REC is here to help you succeed.
Let us help you navigate the changing landscape of recruitment and guide you through future opportunities - whether you're a new, growing or established recruitment business. The REC membership is your key to unlocking your full potential.
We know starting a new business is exciting but daunting. Fear not!
Your REC membership can equip you with:
The REC badge - for tenders and reputation enhancement with clients and candidates
The legal contracts, documents and support to get you started
Discounts on business support products you will need
Networking opportunities -including sector and regional insights
Discounted training for you, and in time the team you will be looking to build.
There comes a point when the next stage is to scale up your agency.
Your REC membership can give you:
A badge of professionalism and compliance that is recognised by clients and wins points on new tenders and frameworks
Legal support - ahead of regulatory changes so you can prepare
Access to research and market intelligence help you decide where to invest next.
Networking opportunities – including via our international membership of the World Employment Confederation
Thought leadership content that can guide you through end-client conversations.
The biggest players in the industry are already REC members.
Join us for:
Unrivalled business support and advice
Reputation enhancement (perhaps by seeking a seat on the REC board or one of our other standing committees)
Our unparalleled voice in the media and across governments to represent brilliant recruitment. This gives us and our members a heads-up on many of the key issues coming your way
Access to market-leading training and qualifications that are proven to help recruitment businesses attract, retain and develop the best talent.
Providing you with the savings, support and insights you need at challenging times
Savings
Save on your legal service costs using our legal support through our Legal Helpline and our suite of legal guides, templates, and contracts (We have dedicated hubs on the Employment Rights Bill and Umbrella Companies exclusive for members)
Savings on recruitment training through our REC Academy- An online, bite-sized learning resource gives you, and your team, access to over 80 skills-based courses designed to develop your team and drive your business performance.
Explore the challenges and solutions to the big issues affecting our industry at our REC Annual Conference - Missed it this year? Our digital guide has all the highlights.
Get market-leading insights available nowhere else including our annual UK industry status report, monthly data, practical guides and more!
Get recognised as a compliant and professional recruitment agency
Your REC badge of honour – passing our rigorous compliance assessment with 80% and above proves your understanding of relevant legislation and that you uphold the ethics in our Code of Professional Practice. You can use our member logo upon passing this assessment.
Get recognised for your industry contributions through one of the leading recruitment awards, REC Awards – available only to REC members
REC Corporate membership offers access to our team of recruitment law specialists, as well as a comprehensive library of template contracts, policies and legal guides that cover all aspects of employment law.
We receive more than 12,000 calls to our legal helpline each year - join as a Corporate member and help is only a phone call or email away. In the last 12 months we've helped our members navigate the Coronavirus Bill, the Job Retention Scheme, SSP, Furlough payment, right to work checks, IR35 and much more.
Template documents
Factsheets and guides
Legal FAQs
Holiday pay calculator
Legal helpline
Monthly legal bulletin
Our campaigns team build relationships across government, positioning REC members as a business voice that holds vital intelligence to inform policy changes.
We provide opportunities for members to come together to form an industry consensus, and we campaign with the aim of nurturing and empowering the recruitment industry.
We are the only recruitment industry body that has real influence across the government.
Recovery from the pandemic, including unemployment support
Good recruitment, diversity and inclusion
Trade and immigration post Brexit
Regulatory change: ensuring a level playing field for business to thrive
Members of the REC network are recognised for their professionalism and the value they provide to both clients and candidates – a standard we maintain through a dedication to compliance, ethics and professional standards.
We provide comprehensive support to ensure our members are compliant, including a dedicated legal helpline, a team of compliance executives, compliance workshops and a range of guides.
We also offer the REC Audited scheme, which goes much further than just compliance, requiring agencies to follow best practice in areas such as customer service, staff development, diversity and client and candidate management.
All REC Corporate members must pass a compliance test to join, and must repeat every two years to stay in membership
REC members must comply with our Code of Professional Practice
REC members can also choose to go through
REC Audited Scheme for added security
The REC investigates complaints against members
Our diverse range of business services mean we can support your business throughout its life cycle.
We take our responsibility as the industry's single destination for advice, guidance and support seriously – which is why we go further to provide the tools your business needs to succeed, including auditing services, mentoring, consultancy and even access to a range of business partners.
Neil and the team at the REC have elevated the way that the industry is seen by government with their skilful lobbying and engagement. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the REC has pulled together the leading recruiters in an organised way not seen before and created a body that the Government will actually listen to .
Tim Cook Group CEO, nGAGE Specialist Recruitment
One of the things that I liked about the application process for the REC was the fact that you guys actually test members and that is not always the case with some membership organisations.
Graham Smith Head of Marketing, Curo Services
The REC leads the way in industry standards and best practice. This allows us to demonstrate quality assurances to our clients.
Claire Wolstenholme and Robbie Harrison MD and Operations Director, Bennett Staff
I have found that the information I get from REC, especially the jobs report, which I fill out every month, is really useful, because when I’m sat there in front of the clients, I can talk to them about real-time information. I now have access to the regional one which is great.
Kelly Dunn Managing Director, KD Recruitment Limited
I chose to use the REC as it is an organisation that is universally recognised. Their knowledge is second to none when it comes to employment law. Knowing you have the legal support as well as access to a library of template documents is also very useful. The process from start to finish of becoming a member was very straight forward and I was supported every step of the way with any questions I had. I am proud to show the REC logo on my website.
Kelly Knopp Director, Southern Education Recruitment
Our main focus when starting our business was to ensure that we get things right the first time and to hopefully minimise the risks and avoidable mistakes further down the line. Having the REC behind us gives us the reassurance and tools to ensure we are in the best possible position to achieve this.
Advice on government policy and regulations (across all devolved nations)
Expert business advice
Savings on recruitment-specific training and qualifications
Discounts from REC's trusted business partner network
Access to our market-leading research and insights
Thought leadership guides and resources
Your badge of quality
How much does REC membership cost?
REC membership fee is calculated based on your annual turnover. Contact us to find out more about your band fee.
What is the eligibility criteria for REC membership?
Membership criteria
You have been trading within the UK for at least a year, and are registered with Companies House OR
Your business is owned or operated by one or more individuals with at least a year's experience in the recruitment industry, or you have completed the REC Start-up course
You are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (for GDPR purposes)
You agree to adhere to the REC Code of Professional Practice
Now more than ever, the REC is a reliable source of information, analysis and insight about the world of work. We are passionate about the growth and development of your recruitment business.
No matter what your aspirations are, we'll be there every step of the way.
Any UK recruitment agency can apply to join REC – as long as they meet the membership criteria.
Your membership fee will be based on your company turnover. There is a one-off joining fee, and then an annual membership subscription. You can pay this by quarterly direct debit or upfront by invoice, as suits your business model.
REC Corporate Membership Terms & Conditions: our information pack provides the details of what you need to do to join and stay in REC membership. Download
Does the REC offer support in finding clients?
REC members use their membership status to support their tender applications and passing our rigorous compliance assessment offers that additional layer of confidence to current and future clients. REC membership is your way of standing out from the crowd and demonstrating that you are serious about standards and professionalism.
Can international recruitment businesses join the REC?
REC Corporate Membership is for UK-based recruitment agencies only. REC Professional Membership is available to any recruiters that operates outside of the UK or Channel Islands through Overseas Membership.
Meet our Account Managers
Our account managers brings with them a wealth of industry experience and knowledge. As REC members, you get this layer of support and timely advice as standard
