The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has carried out a series of fact-finding visits to recruitment organisations to ensure they are prepared for auto-enrolment.
The visits, which TPR is making to a range of sectors, are to prevent and tackle possible breaches, ensure compliance, learn lessons and share good practice among the industry.
The recruitment sector was identified because more than 1,000 recruitment employers are due to reach their staging date between April and July 2014.
As a result of information gathered from the visits, TPR will issue compliance guidance tailored for the recruitment sector.
Charles Counsell (pictured), executive director of automatic enrolment at TPR, said: “These visits were very positive and employers were willing to engage with us and tell us about their experiences.
“Engaging directly in this way helps us to get a good understanding of the issues faced by this sector and use what we learn to help others in the industry.
“Over the coming months we will be carrying out more visits to employers in other sectors where we have identified potential compliance challenges. We want to ensure any problems they face are addressed in good time and that they do not run the risk of non-compliance, which can come at a cost.’
Kate Shoesmith, head of policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), added: “Recruiters want to be compliant, and the REC is pleased that The Pensions Regulator recognises the additional barriers that recruiters face and is working with the industry to address these issues.
“The process does not lend itself easily to an atypical workforce and recruiters have had to work hard to ensure that their businesses are ready for automatic enrolment.
“Over the last 12 months, many recruiters have successfully dealt with the challenges that the industry has faced and we will continue to work with [TPR] to ensure that the remaining recruiters that are yet to reach their staging date are supported through the process.”
