Professional recruiters say ìSir Alan, youíre firedî

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the trade body for the UK recruitment industry, was shocked to see the interview technique of Sir Alanís employees on BBC1ís The Apprentice last night.

Commenting on the programme, Tom Hadley, the RECís Director of External Relations said: ìIt simply isnít acceptable to assume that only women have caring responsibilities in the modern world. All those undertaking recruitment should abide by all anti-discrimination rules.

ìFrom what was shown on the programme, itís doubtful that Sir Alanís and his employees were compliant. Recruitment professionals know only too well their responsibilities to ensure that interviews do not lead to discriminationî

Ian Wolter, Chair of the RECís Diversity Forum and Managing Director of Eden Brown said: ìIt comes as no surprise that some employers seem to think itís impossible to balance work and family life. Recruiters should ensure that candidates are judged on their merits and employers should make reasonable allowances to get the best person into the job. If Sir Alan worked as a recruitment consultant for me it would have to be a case of ëSir Alan, youíre firedí.î

The REC has developed a unique service called Diversity Assured for recruiters. The service ensures that recruiters are compliant with anti-discrimination rules and are actively seeking more diverse pools of candidates at a time when demand for staff is at a peak. To sign up to this service click here

Commenting further Hadley said, ìREC members operate to a Code of Professional Practice and polices its members against that Code. If our members used the interview technique that what was shown on TV last night we would have serious questions as to whether it complied with our Code.

ìWe would be happy to arrange for Sir Alan and his employees to learn about how to recruit professionally through our Diversity Assured service.î