Healthcare Professionals

At Healthcare Professionals we believe that having a strong stance on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will enhance our understanding of the local and international markets and communities we work in, adding to our expertise and industry knowledge. We also believe that it will help us to attract and retain the best talent to our company, helping us to continue to provide a first class service to our customers. Healthcare Professionals are committed to being a responsible business, not just a profitable one, and as such we strive to manage our business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. Our CSR commitments cover 4 key areas:

• Our commitment to practicing the highest standards of professional recruitment, and upholding best practice are demonstrated by our staffs IRP (Institute of Recruitment Professionals) accreditation. All of our staff follow the IRP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and any breaches of this code can be reported to the REC complaints and disciplinary committee.
• We operate in accordance with the Department of Health (DH) / NHS Employers Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals, and are on the published list of agencies that adhere to the Code of Conduct (Please see Appendix b and c for verification). As such we follow a sound ethical approach with regards to sourcing our candidates responsibly. This includes the omission of actively sourcing candidates from any of the countries listed by the DH as a developing country or as a country that should not be recruited from. A large proportion of our candidates are sourced from within the UK, but we also have highly developed pipelines of suitably qualified Healthcare Professionals from overseas. Our method of choice for our overseas resourcing is working in conjunction with the Public Employment Service of each country, through EURES (EURopean Employment Services), which is coordinated by the European Commission. By collaborating with such organisations we ensure that our international resourcing is done in a responsible manner, working towards controlled migration of healthcare workers and ensuring that our recruitment does not in anyway contribute to the destabilisation of the local healthcare provision in the source country.
• We operate in an open and honest approach with our clients and candidates, telling our customers what they want to know about our products and services.
• We welcome the critique and comments of our customers, so that we can continuously improve our service. Our goal is to create a long term sustainable business built on successful relationships, formed by engaging with our customers and acting in their interests.
• We operate in a healthy and safe environment for all of our employees and any visitors to our office premises.
• When selecting suppliers or purchasing goods for our company, we are careful to consider ethical and environmental factors. For example, for office supplies we try to use local suppliers as much as possible. This helps us support the local community and also reduces energy wasted and carbon emissions from deliveries. When buying consumables, Fairtrade products are favoured. Ethical factors are also heavily considered when choosing any second tier suppliers of healthcare staff (as explained below).
• In accordance with The Employment Agencies Act 1973, The Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003 and The DH / NHS Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals, our company will not, under any circumstances, charge any applicant seeking employment any fee for our service in assisting them in gaining such employment. In addition, on the occasions where we utilize the services of a second tier supplier of healthcare professionals from overseas, we will not work in partnership with or contract the services of any agency who charge fees to individuals solely for the purpose of placement within the UK.

• The provision of a first class working environment for our employees is important to us. We want to create an environment where excellence will flourish. We are committed to the personal safety of our staff, and operate a healthy and safe environment for our employees.
• We believe that a healthier workforce is a happier workforce and a more productive one. A number of initiatives have been introduced to promote this, such as the weekly provision of free fresh fruit, flexi working hours allowing staff more flexibility to fit exercise into their working day, e.g. before work or over an extended lunch break. In addition to this our offices were carefully selected for their close proximity to various amenities such as a selection of gyms, healthy eating options, green spaces, and easy accessibility to cycle paths and the London Cycle network.
• Appropriate training and development opportunities will be offered to all employees in order to assist and empower them within their daily work, and job satisfaction.
• Diversity & Equal Opportunities: All staff will be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their origin or background. We embrace diversity and view it as a strength to our business.
• Anti-discrimination: Applicants for employment and existing staff within our business will be treated fairly, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or religious belief.
• All of our employees will receive appropriate remuneration in line with the work that they carry out.

• Paper product manufacturing and burning of paper contribute significantly to deforestation and man made green-house gas climate change. At Healthcare Professionals we operate a “paperless” office, utilizing electronic document management systems and only printing when absolutely necessary. This significantly reduces our paper usage and waste, and thereby reduces our impact on the environment.
• Our employees are encouraged to use environmentally friendly modes of transport to travel to and from work, e.g. walk, jog and cycle, in an effort to reduce air pollution. Our office location was specifically chosen with its proximity and accessibility to cycle routes and availability of secure and sheltered cycle parking in mind. In conjunction with a local Bicycle retailer, our employees also have access to discounts on repairs and purchases.

• We understand that the effect of all of our business processes contribute to our “Community Footprint”. So we look to expert organisations such as Business In The Community (BITC) for ideas and advice on operating as a responsible business.
• Minimising our impact on the local environment in turn helps to minimize our impact on the local community. Our dedication towards environmentally friendly transport usage for employees shows our commitment to this.
• Supporting charities is something that is important to us at Healthcare Professionals. We have a charity partnership with “Action for Children”, who make a huge and lasting difference to the lives of the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people in the UK. 2 of our directors have participated in marathon runs and other charity runs, raising significant amounts of money for worthy causes.