Recruiter Code of Conduct

Introduction & Purpose

TalentBridge is committed to maintaining a high-quality, trustworthy recruitment marketplace for both job seekers and employers across the UK and worldwide. This Recruiter Code of Conduct sets out the standards we expect from all recruiters — whether independent or agency-based — who use our platform.

The purpose of this Code is to:

• Protect candidates from misleading, exploitative, or discriminatory recruitment practices
• Ensure employers receive genuine, qualified candidate representations
• Maintain the integrity and reputation of the TalentBridge platform
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law, GDPR, and relevant regulations
• Foster a professional, transparent, and fair recruitment ecosystem

This Code applies to all recruiter account holders, their employees, and any agents acting on their behalf when using TalentBridge services.

Professional Standards

All recruiters on TalentBridge are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism at all times. This includes:

• Representing yourself, your agency, and your clients accurately and honestly
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of employment law and recruitment best practices
• Responding to candidate enquiries in a timely and respectful manner
• Providing constructive feedback to unsuccessful candidates where reasonably possible
• Honouring commitments made to candidates regarding interview processes and timelines
• Acting in the genuine best interests of both candidates and client employers

Honest & Accurate Job Listings

All job listings posted through TalentBridge must be genuine, accurate, and up to date. Recruiters must ensure that:

• Job titles accurately reflect the nature of the role
• Salary ranges are truthful and represent the actual compensation on offer
• Job descriptions clearly describe the responsibilities and requirements of the role
• The listed employer or client has authorised the posting of the vacancy
• Roles are removed promptly once filled or withdrawn
• Location information is accurate — remote, hybrid, and on-site designations must be correct

Candidate Treatment

Candidates are at the heart of the TalentBridge platform. Recruiters must treat all candidates with dignity, respect, and fairness throughout every stage of the recruitment process.

• Obtain explicit consent before submitting a candidate's CV to any employer
• Never submit a candidate's application without their knowledge and approval
• Keep candidates informed of the status of their applications in a timely manner
• Do not make false promises about interview outcomes or job offers
• Respect candidates' decisions to withdraw from processes without pressure or harassment
• Do not charge candidates any fees for job placement services
• Maintain confidentiality of all candidate information shared in confidence

Data Protection & GDPR Compliance

All recruiters using TalentBridge must comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes:

• Processing candidate personal data only for the purposes for which it was collected
• Obtaining valid consent before processing sensitive personal data
• Retaining candidate data only for as long as necessary and securely deleting it thereafter
• Never selling, sharing, or transferring candidate data to unauthorised third parties
• Responding promptly to Subject Access Requests (SARs) from candidates
• Reporting data breaches to the ICO within 72 hours where required
• Maintaining a lawful basis for all processing activities

Anti-Discrimination Policy

TalentBridge operates a strict zero-tolerance policy on discrimination. Recruiters must not discriminate against candidates or employers on the basis of any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, including:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race, colour, nationality, or ethnic origin
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Job listings must not include discriminatory language, requirements, or implied preferences based on any protected characteristic unless there is a genuine occupational requirement, which must be clearly stated and legally justifiable.

Fees & Transparency

Recruiters must be transparent about all fees, charges, and commercial arrangements:

• Clearly disclose agency fees and terms to client employers before commencing a search
• Never charge candidates placement fees, registration fees, or CV writing fees as a condition of access to job opportunities
• Disclose any financial relationships or conflicts of interest that may affect impartiality
• Honour agreed fee arrangements with client employers and not apply retrospective charges
• Clearly state rebate and guarantee terms in all fee agreements

Prohibited Conduct

The following activities are strictly prohibited on TalentBridge and will result in immediate account suspension and potential legal action:

Enforcement & Sanctions

TalentBridge reserves the right to take action against any recruiter account found to be in breach of this Code. Sanctions may include:

• Warning: A formal written warning for minor or first-time breaches
• Content removal: Removal of non-compliant listings or content without notice
• Temporary suspension: Account access suspended pending investigation
• Permanent ban: Permanent removal from the platform for serious or repeated violations
• Legal referral: Referral to relevant authorities (ICO, police, employment tribunal) for illegal conduct

TalentBridge will investigate all credible complaints and aims to resolve matters within 10 working days. Decisions made by TalentBridge regarding account sanctions are final.

Reporting Violations

If you believe a recruiter on TalentBridge is in breach of this Code of Conduct, please report it to us immediately. We take all reports seriously and investigate thoroughly.

• Email: conduct@talentbridge.digital
• Subject line: "Recruiter Code of Conduct Complaint"
• Please include as much detail as possible, including the recruiter's name, the nature of the complaint, and any supporting evidence
• All reports are treated in strict confidence
• Whistleblowers will not face any retaliation for making a good-faith report