Local newspaper investigation highlights discrimination

An undercover investigation carried out by a local newspaper has highlighted alleged examples of some recruiters assisting employers who breach age and race discrimination laws.

In its investigation, the Enfield Advertiser posed as a window cleaning business and contacted a number of recruitment agencies in the borough saying it wanted to recruit temporary staff. However it insisted it did not want to be sent anyone either from an ethnic minority or aged over 40. The newspaper found that 64% of recruiters were willing to send workers under 40 and another 54% said they would supply only workers from a non-ethnic background. 

The REC has responded to the report saying that recruiters need to “be strong and do the right thing” even when a client puts pressure on to discriminate. Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations said despite the results of this investigation, the industry’s record on discrimination had definitely improved. He stressed that agencies should turn away business if it was offered on discriminatory terms and that even in the current economic climate, there is no excuse for taking such instructions or for cutting corners. 

The Enfield Advertiser has decided that despite the evidence, it was not prepared to name the agencies involved. 

Tom Hadley added: “We know the media is always keen to mount such undercover investigations especially when there are so many jobseekers desperate to find new employment in a tough economic climate. So it is in the interests of the recruitment industry that we rise above this by remaining scrupulous and doing the right thing. 

“Strong leadership and training are the two elements that can provide frontline staff with the confidence to challenge discriminatory instructions.”