The IT and Comms Sector Group of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is launching new industry-wide Codes of Practice in conjunction with the Professional Contractors Group (PCG).
Two REC Codes have been created to ensure the highest possible standards of practice are met and maintained throughout by member recruitment agencies and consultants. One code is designed for working with clients, and the other is for dealings with jobseekers and contractors, including one person limited companies working within the sector.
In tandem with this, PCG has also drawn up its own voluntary Code of Conduct for contractors in their dealings with recruitment agencies.
It was decided that the new Codes were needed because of the raft of specialist legislation that now covers the IT and Comms industry.
These regulations include age discrimination, umbrella companies and IR35 best practice. As a result, the REC invited PCG to devise its own similar code guaranteeing the same level of professional standards for its members who sign up to the code when dealing with agencies.
Following consultations between the two groups, the idea of the Codes were announced at the RECís IT and Comms Sector Groupís annual conference in London last October and will now become effective from today (Tuesday May 8).
Jeff Brooks, Chairman of the RECís IT and Comms Sector Group and director of IT recruitment firm Primesourcing Ltd, said: ìIt was always my intention to introduce new standards, including these Codes of Practice, in order to raise professional values and principles in the marketplace.
ìPart of the original plan was to extend the Code to contractors and we are delighted with the support PCG has given us throughout in achieving this aim. We are certain that as a result of this support, we now have a robust set of guidelines that ensure best practice throughout the industry will be widely and effectively delivered.î
David Ramsden, Chairman of PCG said: ìIt will be much easier for a contractor and an agency to start a relationship with confidence if each knows that the other will offer a certain standard of conduct and behaviour. For this reason, Iím pleased to see this initiative going ahead and hope that many agencies and contractors will sign up to it.î
Anyone wishing to sign up to the new Code can find out more by visiting www.rec.uk.com or www.pcg.org.uk.
REC and PCG launch new codes for IT recruiters and contractors
Two REC Codes have been created to ensure the highest possible standards of practice
