by Kaley Cook, of CGFNS International’s Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices
This is a blog series from the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices covering the top questions and concerns that can arise in the recruitment process. You can visit the Alliance website for more information or contact staff@cgfnsalliance.org with questions.
The migration and recruitment journey to the U.S. can be lengthy and complex. Once you have decided to migrate to the United Sates and have selected a recruitment pathway, there are still many issues that can arise. When selecting a recruiter – or after you have signed with one – look out for these five red flags:
1. Recruitment fees
No recruiter should charge you a recruitment fee for their services.
2. Requests to provide collateral
Providing collateral means providing something of value (such as your car or your house) that the firm could seize if you do not complete your contract.
3. Withholding your documents, such as your passport
Recruitment firms should not take your personal or identification documents for extended periods of time. While firms may need short term access to your documents (such as your passport) for official use, your documents should always be returned to you in a timely manner.
4. Requiring an immediate signature on a contract with no time to review
Your employment contract is an important document that contains information that can affect you and your family’s lives for years. It is important to know and understand the information inside this document – it is beneficial to both you and your future employer. If a recruitment firm does not allow time for you to review your contract, or allow you to have an attorney review, that is a big red flag and should be a major concern.
5. Contract durations over 3 years
Typically, contracts signed with staffing firms are for three years. Due to special circumstances, a firm may offer a contract for less time. However, anything over three years should be scrutinized. Understanding your contract’s duration is important, because if you want to leave your contract before the designated time, you may be required to pay a fee.
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If you are currently experiencing any of the above situations in your recruitment journey, please contact the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices at staff@cgfnsalliance.org to confidentially discuss.
If you are still looking for a recruiter, visit the Alliance website for a list of Certified Ethical Recruiters that have successfully completed our application process – including demonstrating compliance with the Alliance Health Care Code – and agreed to additional ethical oversight from the Alliance on these issues.