The IT and comms sector group of the recruitment and employment confederation (REC) has launched new industry-wide codes of practice in conjunction with the professional contractors group (PCG), the not-for-profit trade organisation set up in 1999 to support and advise freelance contractors. The initiative comes in an effort to drive up standards in the industry.

Two REC codes have been created to ensure the highest possible standards of practice are met and maintained throughout by member recruitment agencies and consultants. One code is designed for working with clients, and the other is for dealings with jobseekers and contractors, including one person limited companies working within the sector.

In tandem with this, PCG has also drawn up its own voluntary code of conduct for contractors in their dealings with recruitment agencies.

The two bodies agreed that new codes were needed because of the raft of specialist legislation that now covers the IT and comms industry. These regulations include age discrimination, umbrella companies and IR35 best practice.

The REC invited PCG to devise its own similar code guaranteeing the same level of professional standards for its members who sign up to the code voluntarily when dealing with agencies.

Jeff Brooks, chairman of the REC's IT and comms sector group and director of IT recruitment firm Primesourcing, said: 'It was always my intention to introduce new standards, including these codes of practice, in order to raise professional values and principles in the marketplace.

'Part of the original plan was to extend the code to contractors on a voluntary basis and we are delighted with the support PCG has given us throughout in achieving this aim. We are certain that as a result of this support, we now have a robust set of guidelines that ensure best practice throughout the industry will be widely and effectively delivered.'

David Ramsden, chairman of PCG said: 'It will be much easier for a contractor and an agency to start a relationship with confidence if each knows that the other will offer a certain standard of conduct and behaviour.

'For this reason I'm pleased to see this initiative going ahead and hope that many agencies and contractors will sign up to it. It is certainly a step forward in driving up standards within the IT and comms industry.

'By signing up to the voluntary code, a contractor is agreeing to maintain best practices at all times - for example attending interviews as arranged, sticking to the contracts and honouring work commitments.

'In return, contractors will be expecting best practice from agencies too. For example, keeping contractors informed about the status of an application and only forwarding CVs with a contractor's prior knowledge and ensuring they are kept up-to-date with any legislation that may affect them.'

Anyone wishing to sign up to the new code can find out more by visiting www.pcg.org.uk or www.rec.uk.com

July 2007