Hope that recruiters will better protect freelancers

<p>Four HGV recruitment company directors have been banned from operating a recruitment agency for 10 years after the Employment Agency Standards took them to court for breaching five counts of the law. This has caused the REC to emphasise the need to abide by the regulations that govern employment agencies.</p>

<p>A spokesperson from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation says that great progress has been made in raising professional standards and that agencies who comply with regulations should welcome the fact that the small minority who flout the law are brought to account.</p>

<p>Although the case above was just against a HGV recruitment agency, all members of REC have to agree to a code of conduct and minimum standards, so theoretically all members should offer a more reputable service</p>

<p>Agencies should ensure that they keep adequate records and check that the required licences are held by the people they employ.</p>

<p>This action also comes at a time where the REC has said that reputable recruitment agencies should protect freelancers who are affected by the failure of umbrella companies such as Albany.</p>