Warning on competition rules

Recruitment businesses need to abide by competition rules according to an organisation that represents agencies employing interim managers.

The warning from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) follows the decision by the Office of Fair Trading to fine leading building companies nearly £130 million for rigging contract bids.

Both the REC's legal and external relations teams have issued constant reminders to members of the needs to stay within the remit of the Competition Act 1998 and highlighted the consequences of falling foul of its provisions.
 
Fiona Coombe, the REC's Director of Professional Services, said the recruitment industry has always been one of the most competitive commercial markets within the UK economy. Aside from employment laws and regulations, the Competition Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation governing the practices of the recruitment industry.

She went on to say that it is imperative companies remember that if they bid for contracts, they must not disclose to their competitors what price they intend to quote.

Coombe added that agencies should also be diligent when submitting quotes, ensuring they are not priced at a level designed not to win the contract, which may be misleading the client about the real extent of the competition.

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