Cleaning up the image of recruitment: Back office efficiency and repairing the damage done by rogue operators

Recruitment sector soaring but stream of negative news

The recruitment industry seems to be soaring; a flexible workforce embracing new technology and the gig economy; record numbers of people in work; and 1.1 million advertised vacancies at the end of November.
Although it’s overwhelmingly positive, there are blips which tarnish the reputation of the recruitment industry.
Along with estate agents and legal practitioners operating in the ‘ambulance chasing’ and divorce segments of the legal market, recruitment agencies tend not to win popularity contests.
So, the last thing the recruitment industry needs is a steady flow of news stories that demonstrate poor standards and practice.
However, that’s just what we get.
Here are just some of the stories that have appeared on recruitmentgrapevine.com recently which may make you raise an eyebrow.

Agency contract and temp worker perceptions

Recent survey results from the ETZ Contract and Temporary Worker Survey produced some interesting findings about the perceptions of the recruitment industry by agency supplied workers:

• 27% of contractors and temps harbour the perception that agencies don’t always treat their personal information appropriately

• 34% of respondents have strong perceptions that agencies have misused personal information taken from CVs or their contact data

• 39% indicated they had been paid late because of delays resulting from back office processing

• 14% of respondents to miss credit card, rent, mortgage or other debt repayment schedules

• 81% think late payment shapes attitudes to work, employers and productivity

Coupled to the flow of negative stories, such perceptions do little to enhance the reputation of the recruitment sector and do little to impress clients.

Overcome negative perceptions with efficiency and ETZ

Even Rupert Murdoch cannot control the news! So basically, it is futile to hope that the negative stories will stop. The simple truth is that controversial headlines generate clicks for media companies. And although it is impossible to eliminate the actions of rogue individuals and agencies, each agency can do more to take responsibility for its own reputation.
Overcoming the negative image created by rogue operators with efficient technology that supports ethical practice, such as paying candidates on time, is a good start. While each agency sets its own policies, it’s essential that systems can be audited to demonstrate ethical practice.
ETZ recruitment back office integration and solutions reduce the costs of timesheet processing by up to 85%. The efficiency improvements that stem from a digital workflow for back office processing help to minimise administrative delays.
This helps to positively shape which may shape the perceptions of agencies and attitudes to work. To find out more about how we can help you achieve a digital workflow that integrates your existing software and processes, simply get in touch.
Download ‘How ready for GDPR are the UK’s recruitment firms?’, our survey report on information security in the recruitment sector.
For more from Recruitment Grapevine (both good and bad!), click here.