Xchangeteam Groups CEO calls for Code of Practice

Xchangeteam Groupís CEO, Emma Brierley, is calling for a Code of Practice to stamp out the unethical goings-on in the marketing and creative services recruitment industry. The industry-specific code will serve to support the message of the REC Code that all recruitment companies have a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of practice.

She believes that a Code recognised by the communications industry will make it difficult for cowboy companies to drive down the quality of recruitment and will set a standard of service that professional agencies will aspire to reach. This can only be achieved with the buy-in and support of clients, both in agencies and in-house.

The move comes as an increasing number of recruitment companies appear to think that their job is to apply a scattergun approach to obtaining fees and send out CVs without regard to the compatibility of employer and employee. More significantly, these companies are sending out CVs without discussing the opportunity with candidates beforehand in a bid to get the CVs to the client first. This can create confusion and lengthen the recruitment process.

Said Emma Brierley: ìThe question of ethics is everyoneís problem and the recruitment industry has a responsibility to ensure that fair play is carried out in whatever business they recruit for.

ìIn a small industry, like marketing and creative services, our relationship with clients and candidates is important and they must be confident that we are doing the best for them. If our clients ignore bad practice, they will get a raw deal and standards will fall. A recruitment Code for our sector will work to ensure that we stamp out bad practices altogether.î

Tom Hadley, External Affairs Director for REC: The REC is committed to high standards across all sectors and we are keen to work with Brierley and the relevant industry trade bodies to encourage this in PR and marketing recruitment.

Emma Brierley is currently in talks with the CIPR and PRCA amongst other industry bodies as part of the move to introduce the Code.