November 01, 2010
The Director of a recruitment firm has been banned from running an employment agency for seven years after unlawfully withholding over £11,000 in wages. Norwich Employment Tribunal heard how Christine Lewiss withheld wages from rail workers totalling more than £11,000 while operating Rail Recruit UK Ltd and Rail Recruit UK Projects Ltd. The ruling followed an investigation by the Employment Agency Standards inspectorate (EAS), a division of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. EAS brought the case having successfully prosecuted Lewiss in June 2009 at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court, which resulted in her being ordered to pay back the withheld wages as well as £1,000 costs. "We will take action against rogue recruiters in Norfolk - and across the country - who flout the law and undermine the vast majority of agencies who play fairly,” said Employment Minister Edward Davey, who added that the verdict should act as a warning to any agencies attempting to take advantage of their workers.