The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) is in advanced talks with recruitment process outsourcers (RPOs) to create a new charter for RPOs and MSPs.

The new charter follows 18 months of discussions between APSCo, RPOs, recruiters and members of ABFA (Asset Based Finance Association), which represents invoice finance providers.

APSCo, the RPOs, MSPs and recruiters want the charter to:

·     Create a quality stamp to promote best practice throughout the RPO and MSP market

·     Work out how ethics, fairness and transparency in the supply chain can best be achieved

·     Ensure efficient communication along the recruitment supply chains

·     Give guidance on financial responsibilities and best payment practices, including the question of ‘pay when paid’ clauses

·     Discuss contractual models of liability

·     Arrive at agreed definitions of several important functions (such as RPOs, end user suppliers and vendor management systems)

APSCo chief executive Ann Swain says: “There has been some uncertainty in the recruitment sector as to the contractual relationship between RPOs and recruiters. APSCo has spearheaded in-depth negotiations with recruiters, RPOs, funders and end users for some time in order to fully resolve the issues involved.”

“We have been actively engaging all of the links in the supply chain, with the pinnacle being the 2011 APSCo Business Supply Chain Forum at CBI HQ (in association with ABFA) where we had around 200 clients, recruiters, RPOs, MSPs and financial institutions actively discussing the day to day issues and it was from this that APSCo were directed to initiate the charter.

“At every step we involved a very broad church of stakeholders in our discussions as we want the code of conduct to deliver benefits across the board.

Darren Lancaster, managing director at Hudson RPO, says: “APSCo has been instrumental in driving the resolution of the key issues affecting the recruitment supply chain. Their engagement with the senior management from Europe’s top RPOs and managed services providers show their dedication and passion for fair and ethical business practice. Hudson RPO is proud to be involved with this work towards a recognised code of practice.”