More Equality in the Labour Market

To encourage more equality in the labour market the Department of BIS has announced new restrictions on the advertising of job vacancies overseas. As of 5 January 2015, Regulation 27A of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 came into force. This essentially means that recruiters can no longer advertise a vacancy in Great Britain exclusively in any other European Economic Area (EEA) unless:

1. The vacancy is advertised in English in Great Britain at the same time; or
2. The vacancy has already been advertised in English in Great Britain for the previous 28 days.

Agencies that breach these new regulations can face criminal prosecutions, civil claims for damages or, in the worst case scenarios, a prohibition order preventing the agency from operating for up to ten years. These new measures have been introduced to prevent UK nationals from being excluded from possible employment opportunities by recruiters.