Outcome of Recruitment Complaints 2019-2020

Month Concluded Department Description of complaint Outcome
April 2019 Other Complaint about diversity in Civil Service tests. Out of scope
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Candidate believes they were treated unfairly in the judgement of a recruitment campaign No breach - all candidates were found to have been treated fairly
Ministry of Defence Candidate believes he/she was treated unfairly in the judgement of a recruitment campaign Referred back to Department
Ministry of Justice Candidate believes he/she was treated unfairly in the judgement of a recruitment campaign Referred back to Department
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint about the selection process of recruitment process. No breach found
Crown Prosecution Service Complaint about the withdrawal of candidate's application Application reinstated
Department for Work and Pensions Anonymous complainant felt as though a recruitment campaign breached the RPs. Unable to acquire necessary further information.
Ministry of Justice Potential Exception that was extended without the approval of the Commission No breach
Other Complaint about feedback provided on recruitment campaigns Referred back to departments, directed to information on Success Profiles and Recruitment Principles.
Department for Exiting the European Union Complaint that competition was 'unfair and opaque' Received information from Department - candidate did not meet benchmark scores
Cabinet Office Complaint about IT issues during a recruitment campaign. No breach found
Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service Complaint about discrimination Referred to a relevant HR contact
May 2019 Ministry of Defence Candidate believes he/she was treated unfairly in the judgement of a recruitment campaign Complainant did not reply to the Commission's correspondence
Ministry of Justice Feels competency-based assessments are discriminatory against elderly and disabled people. Discrimination is out of scope. Referred to Department.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about disability and discrimination Disability discrimination is out of scope. Directed to Department.
Home Office Provisional Offer withdrawn. Out of scope - pre-employment checks.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Complaint abouit direct Discrimination Out of scope - referred back to department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Complaint about withdrawal of application due to missed deadline Out of scope - referred back to department - position was locally-engaged role, not Civil Service
Other UK Government Investments - assessing on unadvertised criteria UKGI is not staffed by civil servants therefore out of scope.
Department for Work and Pensions Unsatisfied with recruitment process. Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Justice Complainant failed pre-employment checks Out of scope
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Online test pass marks were raised Referred back to dept.
Home Office Application withdrawn by HO as complainant did not meet the HO residency requirements. Out of scope
Ministry of Justice Failed application process. Referred back to dept.
Forestry Commission Unsatisfied with recruitment process. Has complained to the department but hasn't received a response. Response received.Complaint withdrawn.
Home Office Candidate replaced on reserve list and has not had any replies to candidate's request for update from Department. HO confirmed they would be responding, as they did to the previous emails sent to complainant
Crown Prosecution Service Unsatisfied with recruitment process: complained criteria were not advertised, believes it was discriminatory. Has complained to the department but hasn't received a response. Criteria were clearly stated in CPS Candidate Pack. Directed to seek legal advice for discrimination matters.
Home Office Failed pre-employment checks Out of scope
Department for Health Regarding the CMO campaign. No breaches found
Home Office Complaint about travelling costs associated with attending an interview Referred back to the department.
Intellectual Property Office Complainant aboout discrimination Out of scope
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Unsatisfied with recruitment process. Has complained to the department but hasn't received a response. No breaches found.
Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service Candidate applied under GIS but didn't get invited to an interview. Believes they meet the essential criteria. Referred back to the department.
Defence Equipment and Support Candidate was unable to apply for a role, initially stated due to their own mistake, then stated due to technical issues. No technical issues found. No breach.
Department for International Trade Complaint that sift was done on desirable criteria Out of scope - internal campaign
Debt Management Office Complaint that no salary listed "to attract the best candidates" Breach of Recruitment Principles
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complainant has been offered a job but not received start date. Out of scope - post offer
Ministry of Defence Complaint about qualifications criteria Requested further information. No further contact from the comlainant
Department not provided Complaint about recruitment campaign. Referred back to department
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about recruitment campaign. Closed - no breach
Other Complaint about Local Council recruitment campaign. Closed - out of scope
Crown Commercial Service Allegation of discrimination. Out of scope.
July 2019 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Complaint about recruitment criteria Out of scope - recruitment criteria is a matter for the organisation
Valuations Office Agency Complaint about graduate programme requiring RICS-accredited degree. Out of scope - relates to criteria - decision on which is a matter for the organisation.
Defence Equipment and Support Complaint that essential criteria for job was not advertised Closed - no breach
Cabinet Office Complaint about recruitment campaign Contractor - out of scope
Home Office Complaint about recruitment complaint essential criteria Out of scope - Not for CSC to decide criteria
Defence Equipment and Support Complaint about being sifted out of recruitment competition No breach found
Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service Complaint about scoring in recruitment campaigns Referred back to Department
National Archives Complaint about issues with recruitment process Closed due to no further contact from complainant, and was advised to go back to the Department
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Complaint about interview process and time given for presentation Breach found as advertised process not followed
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about technical error on online tests Referred back to Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Complaint about eligibility rules No breach - rules clearly advertised
Ministry of Justice Complaint about technical issue when trying to apply for a role Referred back to Department
Ministry of Defence Complaint about misapplication of the GIS No breach - GIS found to have been applied appropriately
Ministry of Justice Complaint about online tests Referred back to Department
Cabinet Office Complaint about competencies at sift No breach found but poor practice
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about scoring Closed no breach
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Complaint about the GIS Closed - out of scope
Other Complaint regarding the British Council Out of Scope - British Council are not civil servants
Department for Transport Complaint about online tests Out of Scope
Department for Transport Complaint about recruitment campaign contact Alternative contact provided
National Savings and Investments Complaint about recruitment process Out of scope - internal campaign
August 2019 Other Complaint about criteria on Civil Service job adverts Referred back to Department
Ministry of Defence Complaint about recruitment process Referred back to Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Complaint about feedback and recruitment process No breach found
Cabinet Office Complaint about GRS recruitment No breach
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Concerned about merit order for interview No breach - merit order confirmed
Other Querying lack of contact since being offered a role Referred back to Department
Defence Equipment and Support Complaint about scoring Referred back to Department
Other Complaint about feedback No breach found
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about test scores No breach - results were accurate
Home Office Complaint about nationality requirements Out of scope - nationality requirement not within CSCs remit
Ministry of Justice Complaint about feedback and request for FOI Referred back to Department
Department not specified Complaint about general Civil Service recruitment Out of scope
Defence Equipment and Support Complaint about job advert No breach - information was clearly set out in advert
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint about recruitment application Referred back to Department
NATIONAL ARCHIVES Complaint about discrepancies in advert and issues with form submission Referred back to Department
Department for International Trade Complaint about online tests No breach found
Other Complaint about pre-employment checks Out of scope ofRecruitment Principles
Other Various complaints for various departments Referred to GDPR - out of scope
Rural Payments Agency Complaint about the application of GIS Referred back to Department to be investigated
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about scoring in a recruitment campaign Referred back to Department to be investigated
Ministry of Defence Complaint about an online test Referred back to Department
Health and Safety Executive Complaint about recruitment process Out of Scope - internal competition
Ministry of Justice Complaint about feedback Referred back to Department
Other Complaint about recruitment process Referred back to Department
Defence Equipment and Support Complaint about eligibility requirements Back to Department
September 2019 Department for International Trade Requesting details of appeal Provided with relevant details
Cabinet Office Asking for details of recruitment appeals Provided with relevant details
Health and Safety Executive Complaint about essential criteria in a recruitment campaign Out of scope - Departments make their own assessment on requirements
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint about pre-employment checks Out of scope
Home Office Complaint about notice period given for interview No breach found
Other General complaint about Civil Service recruitment No breach found
Home Office Complaint about an internal competition Out of scope
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint about recruitment process Referred back to Department
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint about the extension of a competition deadline No breach found
Defence Equipment and Support Complaint about recruitment process No breach found
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint about the recruitment process and reappointment Referred back to Department and advice given on re-appointments
October 2019 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding feedback Out of scope
Other Complaint regarding reserve lists Referred back to the Department.
Health and Safety Executive Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Other Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Department for Transport Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding recruitment process No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Complaint regarding assessment process No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding assessment process Breach of Recruitment Principles found
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regardining pre-employment checks Out of scope
Home Office Complaint regarding reserve lists Complaint withdrawn
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding application process Referred back to the Department.
Home Office Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding application process Resolved via department
Home Office Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
November 2019 Insolvency Service Complaint regarding reserve lists Referred back to the Department.
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint regarding reserve lists No breach found
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding guaranteed interview scheme application No breach found
Department for International Trade Complaint regarding potential conflict of interest No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Valuations Office Agency Complaint regarding internal recruitment competition Out of scope
Other Complaint regarding recruitment outside of Civil Service Out of scope
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Complaint regarding guaranteed interview scheme application Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding recruitment process No breach found
Valuations Office Agency Complaint regarding recruitment process No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Home Office Complaint regarding interview Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding job offer. Complaint withdrawn
Other General complaint regarding Civil Service recruitment Out of scope
Home Office Complaint regarding recruitment process No breach found
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
December 2019 Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding application process Referred back to the Department.
Government Legal Department Complaint regarding recruitment process Out of scope
Department for Health Complaint regarding potential conflict of interest and guaranteed interview scheme No breach found
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
Department for Work and Pensions Query regarding feedback and scores Referred back to the Department.
Her Majesty's Prison & Probation Service Complaint regarding assessment process Referred back to the Department.
Other Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding assessment process No breach found
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding reserve lists No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding recruitment process No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding deadline extension No breach found
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding advertised criteria Breach of Recruitment Principles as complainant was incorrectly turned away from an interview
Home Office Complaint regardining pre-employment checks Out of scope
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding interview Referred back to the Department.
Land Registry Complaint regarding recruitment process No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
January 2020 Department for International Trade Complaint regarding withdrawn recruitment campaign No breach found
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
Department for Education Complaint regarding notice period No breach found
Other Complaint regarding alleged discrimination Out of scope.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding accuracy of advertised role Referred back to the Department.
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding guaranteed interview scheme application No breach found
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding application process No breach found
Home Office Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding merit order of recruitment competition No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding assessment process No breach found
Other General complaint regarding Civil Service recruitment Out of scope
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding reserve lists No breach found
Department for Education Complaint regarding internal recruitment competition Out of scope
Serious Fraud Office Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
February 2020 Department for International Trade Complaint regardining pre-employment checks Out of scope
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding internal recruitment competition Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding interview process and reasonable adjustments No breach found
Department for Transport Complaint regarding dismissal following reserve list appointment Out of scope
Valuations Office Agency Complaint regarding reserve list appointment No breach found
Government Legal Department Complaint regarding feedback Referred back to the Department.
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint regarding feedback Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding start date of appointment Referred back to the Department.
Office for National Statistics Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
Department for International Trade Complaint regarding assessment process No breach found
Other Complaint regarding reserve lists Referred back to the Department. Advised regarding Recruitment Principles' reserve list provisions.
Her Majesty's Prison & Probation Service Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding withdrawal of job offer Referred back to the Department.
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint regarding reasonable adjustments No breach found
March 2020 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding application process Referred back to the Department.
Her Majesty's Prison & Probation Service Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding assessment process No breach found
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Complaint regarding pre-employment checks Out of scope
Scottish Prison Service Complaint regarding competition eligibility No breach found
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Query regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding recruitment process Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Justice Complaint regarding recruitment process No breach found
Home Office Complaint regarding withdrawal of job offer Out of scope
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding reserve lists No breach found
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding scoring Referred back to the Department.
Department for Health Complaint regarding assessment process Referred back to the Department.
Department for Work and Pensions Complaint regarding scoring No breach found
Government Legal Department Complaint regarding assessment process No breach found
National Crime Agency Complaint regarding assessment process Referred back to the Department.
Ministry of Defence Complaint regarding recruitment process No further correspondence from complainant when requested.
Cabinet Office Complaint regarding scoring and feedback Referred back to the Department.
Crown Prosecution Service Complaint regarding application process Referred back to the Department.
April 2020 Ministry of Justice Complaint about recruitment process UPHELD - See findings and recommendations
HM Government logo