Recruitment Complaints Procedure

							Recruitment Complaints Procedure

Introduction

This procedure is intended to ensure the efficient processing of recruitment
complaints from job applicants, including complaints from existing employees.

The procedure is intended to cover all aspects of the selection and
recruitment process including those relating to advertising, documentation,
short listing and selection. It also covers complaints about the outcomes of
assessment centres.

Policy

The Audit Commission has developed policies and procedures which are
consistent with the highest standard of recruitment and selection practice.
These are reinforced by the provision of training for all staff involved in the
recruitment and selection process who, in turn, are supported by professional
HR staff. The overriding principle and indeed legal requirement is on all
occasions to appoint the best person for the job.

An unsuccessful applicant will invariably be disappointed at their lack of
success and may question the outcome. This is a natural reaction. Recruiting
Managers and HR staff are available to provide unsuccessful applicants with
feedback on their applications.

However, a job applicant who believes they have a recruitment complaint may
pursue that complaint through this procedure.

Complaints will be carefully assessed against the Commission's Recruitment
Policy and dealt with as quickly as possible, and not later than the timescales
stipulated below.

It is hoped that, through this process, complainants will not be discouraged
from applying for future vacancies with the Audit Commission.

Confidentiality

Certain information will not be made available to complainants, e.g. personal
information relating to other applicants.

Please note: a more detailed document about the recruitment complaints
procedure exists for internal use, and is available under the Freedom of
Information Act. All requests should be directed straight to: foi@audit-
commission.gov.uk.
Procedure

Stage 1 Applicants wishing to make a complaint should do so in writing to the
Commission’s Recruitment Manager (Richard Bunkham), 1st Floor Millbank
Tower, London, SW1P 4HQ.. This should be done as soon as possible after
the circumstances leading to the complaint have arisen, and in any case by
not later than 20 days after an appointment has been made. The Recruitment
Manager will investigate the complaint, and usually respond to the
complainant within 20 working days of receiving the complaint. The response
will normally be in writing.

Stage 2 If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response from the
Recruitment Manager they should write to the Managing Director (Human
Resources) within 5 working days of receiving that response. The MD (HR),
will arrange for the complaint to be investigated and will provide a reply within
20 working days of receipt of the Stage 2 complaint. The response will
normally be in writing.

The decision of the MD (HR) will be final.

Note:
A working day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday.