Employment Agencies

globalsmh

I would like to know what, legally, employment agencies require from a potential employee when they go to register?

I have had numerous unscrupulous ones asking for everything (and more!) barring a DNA sample for ID to register with them.

sangie595

They can ask for what they want. There no law on this. If you don't want to provide something, you just won't be registered. Simples.

globalsmh

Surely all an agency needs is proof of ID such as passport, birth certificate, proof of address, driving licence which is more than enough.My question is why is this ok for some agencies but others ask for much, much more?

I see asking for more as an invasion of privacy and would like to know what they legally require and what is just them being far too nosey.

Mickey_Nine

What else is left for them to ask for?

globalsmh

Credit check,Health check,Criminal record check,DBS check,References from doctors, etc........the list goes on.

An answer to my question would suffice, not more questions, thanks.

marliepanda

There is no 'legal answer' I don't know what jobs you are looking for but in my line of work DBS and criminal record checks are normal and required. Health checks for more physical jobs may be appropriate. I dont know.

Basically, you cannot go into an agency and say 'legally I only have to give you X, so I am not giving you Y and Z' and they go 'oh well fine, we'll register you anyway.'

They can ask for whatever they want, but legally YOU don't have to give them it, of course not, if you feel it is an invasion. Likewise they can refuse to put you on their books.

I signed up to a few agencies in Summer, some wanted original copies of documents, some were fine with copies/sending in pictures. Some took 2 references, one wanted four, which I struggled to give, there is no set thing.

globalsmh

I'm just looking for customer service work. Some of these agencies say they need to take everything bar a blood sample and they say they need to take all the excessive information as it's a legal compliance. Other agencies are fine with birth certificate, passport,etc. Surely if all the extra information some of the more objectionable agencies require was a legal requirement then every agency would ask for the same but they don'y.

Is it just some agencies are just full of BS?

TELLIT01

Certainly many of the items you list in response #5 aren't legal requirements. If you were simply registering with an agency in the hope of a job coming up then I tend to agree that they are excessive. If you are applying for a specific job, the information may be required by the prospective employer so the agency would need to ask for them.
I would add that you came asking a question without giving any details of what any of the agencies had requested. To then complain when people ask for clarification isn't going to make others inclined to help you.

tacpot12

What's the problem with providing them with what you have and telling them what you don't have or are not prepared to get? If they won't register you unless you do provide what they ask for, you just have to accept that it is their business not yours.

sangie595

globalsmh wrote: »

Surely all an agency needs is proof of ID such as passport, birth certificate, proof of address, driving licence which is more than enough.My question is why is this ok for some agencies but others ask for much, much more?

I see asking for more as an invasion of privacy and would like to know what they legally require and what is just them being far too nosey.

I am not sure what was unclear about my answer. There is no law that sets down what they may ask for. So what you see it as is irrelevant. This is a voluntary relationship that you propose to enter into - if you don't want to give them what they ask for then that is your choice. If they then tell you to take a hike, that is their choice.

engineer_amy

From an Agency perspective - An agency (or any employer) can be fined up to £20,000 for employing someone who does not have a legal right to work in the UK. Therefore checking a passport, or birth certificate in conjunction with another form of photographic ID is a crucial part of the registration process.


They also have to meet certain professional conduct regulations such as ensuring the worker has all the necessary qualifications and experience needed to do the job - i.e. checking references and certificates (and in some cases validating the certificates with the awarding body). This may go as far as security checks etc for certain industries.


But over and above this - if an agency decides that candidates must provide their inside leg measurements before they can register, then they are perfectly entitled to do so. What it boils down to is does the candidate want to register to find a job. If they do, then they provide the information requested. If not, then move on to the next agency.