Our understanding of compliance issues in the recruitment sector means we recognise the importance of ensuring contracts throughout the contractual chain are correct and fit for purpose.

It’s a common theme to find agencies recycling their UK terms of business with a few minor tweaks for international assignments. These are often not fit for purpose and pivot around critical UK legislation such as IR35 and AWR whilst not capturing the key local legislative requirements of the host country where the worker will deliver their services, which can result in exposure to risk.

We provides support to agencies wanting to review their own engagement contracts and templates to ensure they fit the international market and truly reflect the nature of the engagement.

We regularly assist with reviews of client terms, where perhaps work has never been delivered to a specific international client before and the requirements of the contract are country-specific, or where the agency just wants a second opinion on the ‘reasonableness’ of specific client demands and indemnities.

We can also help your business understand specific considerations for particular markets. We can work alongside your team to ensure the right processes are engaged internally to manage a compliant contract placement, including compliance packs and templates for contractor on-boarding and vetting.

We help to develop and support your internal compliance strategy.

The introduction of the Criminal Finances Act of 2017 (CFA17) made many recruitment businesses reassess how they operate overseas.

Our CFA17 workshops help agencies decide on their compliance strategy and how they will manage communication within their business with clearly defined ‘top down’ instructions, resulting in a safer, more transparent reporting line and a compliant and, consequently more valuable business.

Our strategy, training session and workshops are open to ALL levels of staff within recruitment businesses from Trainees to CEOs and we regularly get feedback from more senior staff who perhaps participate in sessions out of curiosity that they have gained insights and knowledge, of critical areas, as a result.

We provide invaluable hands-on actual experience giving an insight into the realities and pitfalls of working in specific markets. We offer ‘what we have learnt’ strategy sessions to recruitment agency boards, giving your business the advantage and knowledge without having to experience the same distractions or risks.

This is of critical importance when considering new markets, and geographies or when incorporating in another jurisdiction to fulfil a client’s requirements or business demand.

We can help you calculate the risk vs reward ratio and the commercial implications of a fully compliant engagement internationally.

We have developed a robust Contractor Audit service, which is very popular with recruitment agencies wanting to understand the risk in their business.

We will assist your teams in carrying out a review of the compliance status of your contractor book.

The depth and analysis can be tailored to your preferences but will typically be based on a traffic light system which will allow you a snapshot view of your true risk position.

We can also deliver this service in collaboration with your internal compliance team, which serves as a great training opportunity.

Our audit service helps equip your teams with best practice process documents, streamlining and upgrading your internal compliance activities so that risks are identified and flagged quickly and easily within your business.

We have developed an international 3rd party supplier review and audit process for recruitment businesses. Nearly all recruitment businesses have a UK umbrella PSL with strict requirements for umbrellas to provide business and operational information.

We do not see this requirement so much when recruitment businesses place overseas contractors with 3rd party suppliers. However, placing international contractors with 3rd parties and ensuring compliance is controlled is equally as important, and can carry much greater risks, if managed incorrectly.

Our supplier review process ensures you assess and select your international PSL with transparency and knowledge.

We have also developed international PSL questionnaires and document checklists to ensure you manage and minimise compliance exposure and risk related to CFA17.

Identifying and hiring internationally minded legal and compliance staff with relevant experience, is a challenge for most recruitment businesses.

International contract compliance management is a niche skill and there are only a few who know this area as well as we do. This often means sourcing and retaining the right staff comes at a high cost to the business.

By outsourcing an element of the international scope to our compliance consultancy for ad hoc assistance, your business gains instant access to years of knowledge and experience at a fraction of the cost.

Alternatively, you may have identified an existing member of your team, who has some international or compliance knowledge and can be upskilled to fill a compliance management role. Our retained service can be used to support and develop your in-house team.

Our bespoke programs offer compliance training, advice, support, workshops and development plans, helping to grow or establish your own in-house international compliance support team.

Our retained compliance support service offers peace of mind and compliance assurance. We are always available to provide advice on new territories or contractor placements.

Your business will also have flexible and instant access to our team and our network and knowledge across 70+ countries globally, and the protection of accurate and up-to-date information.

We will work with you to develop a service that accommodates your business’ needs and plans.