Redefining Recruitment: Staffhouse’s 25-Year Journey and Ethical Milestones
Ethical recruitment practices aren’t built overnight. It takes years to establish connections, gain accreditations, and develop a reliable recruitment process trusted by hundreds of companies worldwide.
Manny Gomez and Marc Capistrano, the managing directors of Staffhouse International Resources, are the perfect people to discuss what makes a successful recruitment agency in the Philippines. Since 1999, Staffhouse has been committed to ethical recruitment practices, ensuring fair treatment for both Filipino workers abroad and their employers. We adhere to International Labor Organization principles, setting a high standard in the industry.
Let’s learn about Manny and Marc’s 25-year journey, the challenges they’ve faced, and the milestones they’ve achieved in revolutionizing recruitment.
The Ethical Foundation
Moral obligations in recruitment
The recruitment industry, especially in international contexts, is fraught with pitfalls where many workers are treated unfairly. “When you try to do things right and when you try to do things ethically, then there’ are a lot of struggles,” says Manny.
That’s why for Staffhouse, ethical recruitment is not just a policy; it’s a moral obligation.
We’re committed to deploying Filipino workers in safe, well-vetted environments to protect them from exploitation and abuse. By adhering to these principles, we protect workers’ rights and provide them with the dignity and respect they deserve.
The no-fee policy
Since our establishment, we’ve upheld a strict no-fee policy, meaning we never charge workers for job placements. This principle is a testament to our commitment to ethical recruitment and contesting an industry where charging fees is common practice.
Despite these challenges, we’ve successfully maintained this policy, ensuring that financial burdens don’t fall on the workers. This dedication has earned us a reputation for integrity and trustworthiness.
Marc Capistrano highlights a cornerstone of Staffhouse’s ethical stance: “During that time, the recruitment landscape, we’ve felt like we could make a difference. Since then, we [have] always believed that no worker should pay for a job.”
Overcoming Industry Challenges
Battling industry norms
Manny also shares a harsh reality many Filipino workers face: “Maraming tao na gusto mag abroad (Many people want to work abroad) to find better lives for their families, but they end up having a bad experience because they need to pay an arm and a leg.”
The financial burden of placement fees can put workers in precarious situations, often leading to debt and exploitation. Staffhouse’s ethical and legal considerations in the recruitment process ensure no worker must pay for their job placement. They only need to submit their resumes, attend interviews, and submit deployment requirements.
However, this approach has often been perceived as less cost-effective, presenting an uphill battle for us to prove the value of our recruitment business model to both clients and workers. We stand by our stance in prioritizing the livelihood of countless Filipinos rather than gaining profits.
Achieving success through ethics
Ethical recruitment is nothing without the people who stand by our principles and advocate for the well-being of their fellow workers.
Our unique proposition is our team of dedicated and passionate recruitment professionals who share the company’s vision. Their expertise and empathy have helped to match Filipino workers with suitable opportunities abroad. Their resourcefulness has also earned the trust of our clients from all over the world—from Canada to New Zealand.
By prioritizing the welfare of our clients, we’ve built a successful business and created a positive impact among countless Filipinos and foreign employers.
Inspiring the Industry
Our mission extends beyond simply placing Filipino workers in jobs abroad—we aspire to transform the recruitment industry.
First, we go by five principles:
● Prohibition of recruitment fees for job seekers
● Respect for freedom of movement
● Respect for transparency of terms and condition of employment
● Respect for confidentiality and data protection
●Respect for access to remedy
In collaboration with other esteemed placement agencies worldwide, we’ve championed a model for ethical recruitment that paves the way for a more transparent and responsible landscape.
Watch our 25th anniversary video to gain a deeper understanding of our journey and its impact on the industry.
A Legacy of Ethics
If there’s one thing we can take from Manny and Marc, it’s that ethical recruitment will always start on an unpaved path. It’ll be hard at first, knowing what Filipino workers go through just to land a job abroad and send money back to their families. However, it only takes one catalyst to change everything.
Over the past two decades, Staffhouse has learned to prioritize fair practices, transparency, and protecting workers’ rights. We believe these three things can eliminate or at least lessen ethical issues in recruitment and give the industry a more fair and sustainable future.
We’ve proven that it’s possible to build a successful business while upholding the highest ethical standards. As we celebrate 25 years of service, we’re confident that our dedication to providing a better future for Filipino workers abroad will continue to inspire generations to come.
Discover More About Ethical Recruitment with Staffhouse
As the late John Wooden wisely said, “You should never try to be better than someone else; you should always learn from others.”
This philosophy perfectly captures the spirit of Staffhouse’s journey, as highlighted by Manny and Marc. Rather than competing to be the best, we focus on learning from experiences and consistently improving our ethical recruitment practices. It’s essential for shaping a future where workers’ rights are protected, fairness is prioritized, and trust is built within the industry.
As a leading recruitment agency in the Philippines, our dedication to these principles not only sets us apart but also provides a positive example for others to follow. In our continued mission, we remain committed to providing a better future for Filipino workers abroad. By upholding ethics and fairness, we’re transforming individual lives and contributing to a more responsible and sustainable recruitment industry.
