Employment Agency query

[LornMowa]

A friend's husband (who has been out of work for several months) has been told by an Employment Agency that they can find him work if he pays an up-front fee to them of c£1600.

Surely this is illegal? If it is please can someone provide me with details of the relevant section of the legislation please?

Hi - I have no idea about the legality of it, but it sounds v. dodgy. If they find him a job they would get paid by the employer... not the candidate!

I would steer well clear of them.

Too right, it's a criminal offence. Employment Agencies Act 1973 S6(1)

"Except in such cases or classes of case as the Secretary of State may prescribe, a person carrying on an employment agency or an employment business shall not demand or directly or indirectly receive from any person any fee for finding him employment or for seeking to find him employment."

The prescribed exceptions are for entertainers and models.

More details on Business Link.

Contact the Pay and Work Rights Help Line either here or by phone on the number on that page.

Thank you very much mranchovy. This is just what I was looking for. I will let my friend know.