Unethical Practices and Broken Promises – Beware
I had an incredibly disappointing experience with Sarto Thomas. From the start, their practices raised red flags, and unfortunately, my initial concerns were confirmed as the process unfolded.
To begin with, their lack of transparency is alarming. They make grand promises to candidates, only to backtrack once you’re already invested in the opportunity. This bait-and-switch approach is not only unprofessional but also incredibly unethical. I've found that the information they provide about a role was often not the same as described during the interview which is a waste of time for employers and candidates eg, crucial details about the role, days per week in the office required etc if a long distance away.
Moreover, their communication is manipulative. This creates unnecessary stress and forces individuals into making rushed decisions, which only benefits their commission and not the candidate's career growth.
The most egregious example of their unethical behavior was when they actively sabotaged my chances with a competing job offer. After learning that I had accepted a role through another agency (as they had me forward for a role themselves and I informed them of my acceptance), they went behind my back, contacted the hiring manager, and got me kicked off the role. Shockingly, they then placed their own candidate in that role. All the while, they were telling me I was their top priority and putting me forward for interviews in the days after, this makes it clear they were only interested in using me as leverage.
When I confronted them about this (the Owner / Directors) they lied and denied any involvement. However, once I communicated directly with the hiring manager and received confirmation of their actions, they quickly changed their story stating that "this is part of the cut and thrust of recruitment". This blatant dishonesty is both unprofessional and unforgivable. (Documented)
The most concerning issue is their complete disregard for confidentiality. I found out that they were sharing sensitive and incorrect information about candidates and references without consent (confirmed by the hiring manager that he had received an unsolicited call from Sarto Thomas after I had told them I had accepted the role and this before formal references had been requested) which is a severe breach of trust and privacy. This level of carelessness is unacceptable and puts both candidates and companies at risk. (Documented in writing and shared with Sarto Thomas without response).
Overall, I cannot recommend Sarto Thomas to anyone. Their unethical practices, lack of integrity, and willingness to sabotage candidates make them a liability rather than a reliable partner in your job search. In almost a decade of contracting this is by far my worst ever experience with an agency, hence why I'm writing this review. Save yourself the frustration and look elsewhere for a recruitment agency that values honesty and professionalism.