Recruiting Ethics

The Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) provides guidelines on recruiting ethics. The following is the information on employer ethics from CAFCE’s website:

The successful recruitment of co-operative education students depends upon the collective activities of three parties – the interested employer, the co-op student, and the associated educational institution. All participants must adhere to provincial and federal legislation in their recruitment and employment practices. However, the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education supports additional guidelines concerning recruiting ethics that support the development of a mutually beneficial and fair process for all concerned.

Employer Ethics

Provide accurate job posting information including salary and location
Provide reasonable notice of candidates to be interviewed and of interview cancellations
Respect an institution’s schedule regarding job postings, interview arrangements, job offers, etc., and
heed the co-operative education policies and procedures of an institution
Not discuss job offers or rankings with candidates before, during, or following an interview
Not seek a candidate’s assessment of another candidate
Not make multiple job rankings or offers unless prepared to accept multiple candidates
Honour all matches, and not rescind offers of employment
Confirm all job offers in writing
Not translate a co-op assignment into a full-time position encouraging a student to settle for less

Student Ethics

Abide by the co-op policies of their institution
Ensure that employers have accurate information regarding their qualifications
Notify the co-op office, well in advance, if interviews must be rescheduled or cancelled
Not discuss or mislead employers about their ranking or job acceptance intentions, and not provide information to employers on other students or employers
Honour their acceptance of employment as a contractual agreement with the employer