Recruiter calls on industry to ‘not recruit’ for Fujitsu

A recruiter is calling on industry colleagues to not recruit for the technology firm behind the Horizon system in the Post Office sub-postmasters’ scandal.

Jonathan Dearth, director of The Right Ethos, who operates in the external affairs for the non-profit recruitment sector, has posted the slogan #Don’tRecruitForFujitsu on his client and candidate newsletter, and has called on the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) to make a similar call to its members.

Dearth told Recruiter that he thought the sentiment would resonate with people in the external affairs for non-profit sector because “they are campaigners”. He also alleged that Fujitsu’s activity involving its Post Office technology goes against several of the REC’s Code of Professional Practice principles, such as respect for the laws, respect for honesty and transparency, and respect for work relationships.

“In the light of all the re-ignited publicity around the Post Office scandal, I have written to the REC to suggest that they run a campaign #Don’tRecruitForFujitsu, where they actively discourage recruitment consultancies from supplying candidates to them,” Dearth said. “Clearly, The Right Ethos would not be affected as we don’t work in this sector. But if recruitment agencies who did, and particularly those who have worked for Fujitsu previously, were to say that they #Don’tRecruitForFujitsu this would be a good thing.

“With government contracts [already] signed, there is very little that can be done to get out of these agreements. However, if Fujitsu are undermined by being made unable to fulfil these contracts, then their profits from the government can be affected,” Dearth went on to say.

“The next stage of the campaign could go onto to be #Don’tWorkForFujitsu – where candidates are encouraged not to apply for jobs at Fujitsu. And possibly current employees are stimulated to leave Fujitsu – maybe after a reasonable time period so that no more individuals take a personal and an immediate hit on their livelihoods – for example, by the end of 2026,” Dearth added.

Asked to comment on Dearth’s call to action, an REC spokesperson said: “We agree that Fujitsu needs to address its failings and compensate victims of the Post Office scandal. Individual firms will make decisions about who they want to work with, but no sector body can ever encourage all members not to serve a business that is operating legally in the UK, as this risks engaging in illegal anti-competitive practice.”

Asked for comment, Fujitsu said: “The Fujitsu Group regards this matter with the utmost seriousness and offers its deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their families. The UK statutory Public Inquiry, to which our UK subsidiary is providing full co-operation, is examining complex events that have unfolded over many years, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this co-operation. 

“Based on the findings of the Inquiry, we will also be working with the UK government on the appropriate actions, including contribution to compensation. The Fujitsu Group hopes for a swift resolution that ensures a just outcome for the victims.”

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