Linked Recruitment Agencies

ToxicPaddy

I started a job a few weeks back and its nothing like it was supposed to be, so looking to move asap. What was supposed to be one type of job is actually something completely different. Anyway, I decided to have a look over the weekend and say a few positions I liked the look of and sent off a CV to each.

Got a call this morning from agency, call them Agency X, so the guy asked me about the job etc and then asked me why I wanted to leave so soon?? I was a bit shocked as I didnt mention anything about the job Im in now and on my CV.

Then he mentions that as we had placed you there we are a bit concerned about you leaving so soon. Now the agency who placed me there are a completely different one. Call them Agency Y, and he referred the the recruitment consultant who placed me there aswell.

Then he mentioned that he was going to discuss it with his manager and I asked was he going to inform the company that I was going to leave (I havent told them and they dont know!!) and he said he wasnt sure but will let me know.

I informed him that if he did, I would be withdrawing my CV from his and the sisters companies books and would be leaving the company im employed at now straight away. At which stage he said he would get back to me asap and asked me not to make any hasty decisions.

He then had the cheek for me not to to apply for jobs with any other agencies and said that if anyone asks I was exclusively represented by Agency X.. as if!!!


So my questions are:

Is he allowed inform the company that I'm leaving before I tell them?

Is trading under 2 seperate names yet sharing the same CV's and personal information of a candiate legal without their knowledge?

Are there many agencies out there who trade under different names but are essentially the same company?

Tox

Beruthiel

One thing I can answer for you Toxic.
If a person is hired from an agency they get paid a nice lump some for their services. However, if that person leaves the company before 3 months are up, the agency has to give back the fee they charged. They don't like that.

I asked was he going to inform the company that I was going to leave (I havent told them and they dont know!!) and he said he wasnt sure but will let me know

Honestly, I would be outraged if an agency behaved in such an unprofessional manner.

The Hill Billy

OP - Are you in a permanent position with this company at the moment? If so, it has absolutely nothing to do with Agency X or Y (or anyone else for that matter) if you decide to leave a place of permanent employment.

Even if you are on a contract to the company via Agency Y - then it still has nothing to do with Agency X. Furthermore, I would tell the person you spoke with in Agency X that it is none of his damn business & that you consider his attitude to be most unethical. I am sure that there is a regulator of Recruitment firms (in that they are required to have a license to operate as such). I would report that phucker.

Name & shame. If you don't want to I'd certainly appreciate the name of both agencies via PM.

testicle

Data Protection Act

ToxicPaddy

Cheers for the replies guys..

Ok, things have changed a little.. I had a think about what the guy said to me over lunch and called him back.. Informed him that if he does inform the company I would be withdrawing my CV from both agencies books and leaving the company I'm with now anyway, so not only would they have to refund the nice little commission they got for me taking the job, they would also be losing a prospective applicant for a number of jobs they have on their books and which I've looked at (also mentioned 3 other agencies that are also advertising the same jobs and who I would gladly give my business too!!)

I would also be spreading the word with my friends in the IT industry about their little practices and how both agencies are linked and also seeking legal advice.

He got a little flustered and I could hear in his voice that he didnt expect this return from me. As Beruthiel stated, its commission based work for them and they will lose this. Such a pity when its so close to Xmas

Anyway, about half an hour ago, he came back to me to inform me that under no circumstances would they be informing the company I'm working for now about my intention to leave. He also asked would I be interested in 2 possible positions that they have on their books and if I would like to see the spec.

So I wont name and shame yet.. As I still could get another job out of them.

Hill Billy, with regards to your question, yes I'm in a permanent position at the moment.

Its a shame really, as I've dealt with both of these agencies before, not realising they were linked of course, and both found them to be extremely helpful and provide an excellent service. Ahh well, its amazing how things can change in such a short period of time.

Tox

The Hill Billy

OP:

I'm glad things are working out better. Well done on your approach with the agent - it certainly seems to have worked. Best of luck on that score.

testicle has brought to mind an interesting point in that it looks like personal data is being shared between 2 distinct organisations. What ever about a cv that is posted on a website - that is placing it in the public domain. But this guy knew who you were currently working for & for how long (I presume that this wasn't on the CV you sent him).

I've had a look into the agencies & there is no apparent link financial or operational between them. This would lead me to think that someone from one agency jumped ship to the other & brought data on you (& probably others) with him. Definitely one for the Data Protection Commissioner should you wish to take it further.

Again, best of luck in the job hunting.

markpb

Hill Billy wrote:

I've had a look into the agencies & there is no apparent link financial or operational between them. This would lead me to think that someone from one agency jumped ship to the other & brought data on you (& probably others) with him. Definitely one for the Data Protection Commissioner should you wish to take it further.

I know of at least one recruitment group in Dublin that is owned by one company but operates under at least three different names. They act as one company in almost every respect but I'm not sure how the DPA would work for them.

The Hill Billy

markpb wrote:

I know of at least one recruitment group in Dublin that is owned by one company but operates under at least three different names. They act as one company in almost every respect but I'm not sure how the DPA would work for them.

That's an interesting point. If I submit my CV to Agency A - I have a reasonable expectation that Agency A is the only one to have access to that information & will keep it for their sole use.

The Data Protection laws state that people or organisations keeping personal information must "obtain personal information fairly and openly."

If Agency A passed my personal details to Agency B (a sister company) without my knowledge then Agency B would not have obtained that information "fairly and openly" from my perspective.