However, job boards say the move could backfire, leading to fewer boards working with them. In a letter sent out to all UK job boards with which Hays does business, Tara Quinn, the company’s digital engagement director, writes that “in order to deliver a more effective service to applicants” it will require job boards to direct applicants to its website, www.hays.co.uk. They can do this via Broadbean, Advance or by asking candidates to go to the Hays site direct.

The letter, dated 17 August, adds that Hays will refuse to use the services of job boards that don’t agree to the new terms, though this will not happen immediately but after the expiry of their existing contract.

The letter says that the changes will take effect from “an estimated date of 27 September”, and that job boards should agree to the changes in writing no later than 27 August. In a statement, Quinn told Recruiter that the new arrangements would enhance the candidate experience. “By directing applications straight to Hays the candidate will only have to complete their details once, avoiding duplication and making the process quicker and simpler for them,” she said.

“It ensures that all of our applicants benefit from the high level of service offered by Hays, allowing candidates to monitor their applications and update their details via the Hays site, plus they’ll have easy access to the enhanced features and information available on hays.co.uk.

A director of one job-board, who wished to remain anonymous, told Recruiter that Hays could be the loser if job boards refused to sign up to the new terms. “It could be a big issue for Hays if they say they are not going to work with job boards because job boards have a certain way of managing applications, and Hays will end up with fewer job boards working with them.

“If the request is that candidates cannot register with the job board, even when they are still being asked to apply to jobs posted by Hays, that is not something that we could do,” he added.

Another job board owner, who had negotiated with Hays in the past, added: “How a client wishes a candidate to apply is entirely up to them, via online form, email or a redirection to their own site is fine. A candidate cannot be made exclusive to any agency; they have to select which is the best option presented to them.”

Joe Slavin, chief executive at Fish4, told Recruiter: “Hays is trying to gain exclusivity, but I am not sure they will achieve this, as at present if you apply now for a job your information is stored by the job board, and passed to the advertisers.

“Jobseekers come to job boards to look at multiple jobs. The only opportunity for exclusivity is if the candidate is not registered with the job board, and the candidate only applies for that one job.”

Hays has not revealed how many job boards have signed the letter, but did tell Recruiter: “The reaction has been positive from the job boards we work with who understand what we are trying to achieve and how it affects them, but we have no further comment on this issue.”