REC hands out one-year reprimand to agency

Jo Faragher

Industry body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has issued a public reprimand to driver and commercial agency Halmer Recruit after the agency “seriously breached” its Code of Professional Practice.

An investigation was carried out after a complaint was made that a consultant from Halmer posed as a candidate at another agency to gain information on vacancies, using a fake CV. The Surrey-based agency came before the REC’s Professional Standards Committee in December.

The Committee decided to issue a formal reprimand to the agency, which will remain on record until January 2014. In six months’ time, the REC will inspect a branch of Halmer to ensure that its working practices meet best practice and comply with relevant legislation.

The chairman of the REC’s Professional Standards Committee, Chris Kenny said:

“We are committed to shining a light on bad practices such as faking CVs and the REC will take action against any members who show disregard for our code or the law.” A spokesman added that the body would “continue to take this zero tolerance approach to breaches of our code of conduct.”