Unlicensed employment agency fined $3,000; pays restitution

Edmonton... An unlicensed employment agency that attracted clients seeking employment in Alberta's red hot economy was fined $3,000 in provincial court on January 10, 2006 and has made restitution of more than $11,000.

That Recruiting Company Inc., formerly of Calgary, pleaded guilty to operating a direct selling business without a licence as required under the Fair Trading Act and operating an unlicensed employment agency.

"In light of Alberta's booming economy, the province is becoming the location of choice for job seekers from across the country and around the world," said Government Services Minister Ty Lund, responsible for consumer protection legislation. "We want those people to have confidence in our employment agencies if they seek those services."Under the Fair Trading Act, it is illegal for an employment agency to ask for money to find employment for a person. An employment agency may charge for writing resumes as long as it is not a condition of obtaining employment services.

Victims alleged they were pressured to pay a fee for employment services and were guaranteed a job interview as soon as the fee was paid and a job shortly afterward. The victims all cancelled their contracts when the services were not provided. The victims claimed the agency refused to refund their fee if they were not satisfied with the service as guaranteed in their contracts.

The agency's owner has agreed to get the required provincial licences if it plans to operate in Alberta in the future. Technorati Tags: Recruiting