The REC received a complaint from a temporary worker about alleged non-payment of wages, and opened an investigation into the matter. Bucks Healthcare Services repeatedly failed to cooperate with the investigation. The issue was then referred to the REC’s Professional Standards Committee (PSC), which found Bucks Healthcare Services to be in breach of two principles of the Code. After failing to cooperate or engage with the PSC, the PSC decided that the only sanction available was to expel the company from membership.
The principles which Bucks Healthcare Services breached were Principle 2, respect for honesty and transparency, and Principle 8, respect for prompt and accurate payment.
Lorraine Laryea, Recruitment Standards Director at the REC, said:
“The REC is committed to driving standards in the recruitment and staffing industry. REC membership is valued by recruiters, their clients and candidates as a mark of excellence. The vast majority of our members recognise their responsibilities and conduct their business to the highest ethical standards. But when a member does act outside our code, we have a duty to investigate and deal with any breaches robustly. In this case, our Professional Standards Committee had little choice but to expel the member as they failed to cooperate with the investigation or respond to our questions. It is vital that we continue to hold our members to the highest professional and ethical standards as the sector helps to drive the economy forward post-pandemic.”
