REC Supports Call for Unpaid Shifts to Be Made Illegal

On Friday a private members bill seeking to make unpaid trials illegal will get its second parliamentary reading. Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) director of policy Tom Hadley comments:

“Hiring procedures are about testing somebody’s ability to do the job. However, there’s a difference between testing someone’s skills in an assessment setting and asking them to work for free. Recruitment processes cannot be an excuse for exploiting people. 

“Testing waiters’ silver service skills in a simulated restaurant environment is an example that’s absolutely legitimate. But as soon as you have candidates working in a real business setting alongside paid employees, they deserve to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. 

 

“We know businesses that use this method and pay candidates appropriately. Any employer who doesn’t is tarnishing their own brand and giving business a bad name.” 

 

Ends

 

Notes to editors:  

 

1. For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584.

2. Jobs transform lives, which is why we are building the best recruitment industry in the world. As the professional body for recruitment we’re determined to make businesses more successful by helping them secure the people they need. We are absolutely passionate and totally committed in this pursuit for recruiters, employers, and the people they hire. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com