Privacy Policy

Latest update: December 2025

Welcome to The Adecco Group UK & Ireland. We look forward to working with you and to help you to further develop your career. As you would expect, to properly handle our relationship, we collect and use information about you.

This Privacy Notice (“Privacy Notice”) sets out what personal information we collect from you, how we collect, use and process it, and how, in doing so, we comply with our legal obligations to you. Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting and safeguarding your data privacy rights. We know it is long, but please read this Privacy Notice carefully.

There is an index below so you can go straight to the relevant sections if you prefer.

INDEX:

1. Some terms to be clear about 

In this Privacy Notice, it is important to clearly define how certain terms are used.

When we refer to "You" or "the Candidate", we mean you as the individual whose data we are processing. When we refer to "we", "us", or "the Company", we mean The Adecco UK and Ireland Group, which includes the following entities:

  • Adecco UK Limited
  • Adecco Ireland Limited
  • Office Angels Limited

Our registered office for the UK entities is located at 10 Bishops Square, London E1 6EG, and the registered address for Adecco Ireland Limited is Part 1st Floor, 29–31 South William Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

These group of companies are part of the Adecco Group AG (Adecco Group) with company headquarters at Bellerivestrasse 30, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland, the largest HR services provider in the world.

Through its various companies and business lines the Adecco Group provides several HR (Human Resources) activities like staffing, secondment, payroll services, recruitment and selection, testing solutions, career transition, talent development, training and education, outplacement and international mobility (‘our Activities’).

To carry out our Activities the Company uses several IT systems. In some cases, the Company provides a Self-Service Portal (‘Portal’) for its candidates/personnel. The Portal allows you to search and apply for jobs the Company and its sister companies advertise which match your interests, skills and/or experience, in the locations where you have expressed an interest in working.

Finally, this Privacy Notice is about how we process your information as an individual. It is not about how we process information about companies (although sometimes the two overlap). This type of information is sometimes called ‘personal information’, ‘personally identifiable information’ or ‘PII’. We use the term ‘personal information’ or ‘data’ in this Privacy Notice.

2. What personal information does the Company collect and use?

We collect and use personal information to provide the best possible employment opportunities that are tailored to you, which we have grouped together as follows:

  1. Identity Data means your name, username, title, place of birth and documents evidencing your identity.
  2. Contact Data means your billing address, delivery address, email addresses, telephone numbers, next of kin and emergency contacts.
  3. Qualifications and Working Experience Data means your CV or résumé, details of your education, training, courses attended and internships, documents evidencing your right to work, and any personal data provided by you in your cover letter or during the application process. It also includes information obtained from CV libraries and professional social networks, as well as details about your availability and other relevant information such as your photograph, notes made by consultants or HR representatives, and information relevant to assessing your skills and employability.
  4. Social Media Data means your profile data on social media such as LinkedIn and other information you make public on or otherwise share with us from social media.
  5. Technical Data means internet protocol (IP) addresses from which you access the Portal and our or others’ products and services, cookies (as detailed in the Cookie Policies published across our websites), your login data (such as the time, date and duration), the browser type and version you use to access our or others websites, apps and products and services, time zone settings of your device and your device location, the browser plug-in types and versions you use to access the Portal and our or others websites, apps and products and services, the operating system and platform type of the device you use, and other technology on the devices you use to access the Portal, our apps, websites, products and services, premises data including CCTV and door entry systems.
  6. Phone Calls Data includes the number you spoke with us from, the time, date and duration of that contact.
  7. Profile Data means your username and password, your interests, preferences, feedback and survey responses.
  8. Marketing Communications Datameans information about how you respond to email, SMS, phone and other marketing campaigns.
  9. Sensitive Data means, where applicable, information about any disabilities and any workplace accommodations you may require, as well as diversity-related information (including racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or similar beliefs, trade union membership, and information about sexual life or sexual orientation), health data (such as sickness records, disability records, fitness for work, and health insurance data that contains information about sickness), and information about alleged or proven criminal offences, in each case only where required or permitted by, and in compliance with, applicable law.
  10. Financial Information means but is not limited to, bank account details, income, salary, tax information, National Insurance Number, invoicing, and payment records.

Depending on the relevant circumstances and applicable local laws and requirements, we may collect some of the information listed above to enable us to offer you employment opportunities which are tailored to your circumstances and your interests.

3. Why do we process your personal information and how long do we keep it for?

Purposes of the processing Type of data Legal basis to process your personal information Retention period
Providing our services by offering you suitable job opportunities, assisting with training, and facilitating the application process. This includes sending your CV to potential employers and keeping you informed about suitable or future job opportunities through email, phone, or other communication methods

a) Identity Data

b) Contact Data

c) Qualifications and Working Experience Data;

d) Social Media Data;

e) Profile Data

- Performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps: For processing related to your current job application.
- Legitimate interests: For keeping your data to consider you for future job opportunities. 		- Ongoing application: Until the recruitment process is complete.
- Future job opportunities: Up to 2 years from your last interaction with us (e.g., application, interview, emails, phone call, assessment).
Evaluating, selecting, or rejecting your application, including arranging and conducting interviews.

a) Identity Data

b) Contact Data

c) Qualifications and Working Experience Data;

d) Social Media Data;

e) Profile Data

i) Sensitive Data

 - Performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps: For processing necessary to evaluate your application.
- Legitimate interests: For retaining your data to consider you for future roles. 		- Ongoing application: Until the recruitment process is complete.
- Future job opportunities: Up to 2 years from your last interaction with us (e.g., application, interview, emails, phone call, assessment).
Providing you with our services, evaluating your results and as needed in the recruitment processes, including final recruitment.

a) Identity Data

b) Contact Data

c) Qualifications and Working Experience Data;

d) Social Media Data;

e) Profile Data

i) Sensitive Data

 - Performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps: For processing necessary to evaluate your application.
- Legitimate interests: For retaining your data to consider you for future roles. 		- Ongoing application: Until the recruitment process is complete.
- Future job opportunities: Up to 2 years from your last interaction with us (e.g., application, interview, emails, phone call, assessment).
Processing your data to facilitate payroll and invoicing processes

a) Identity Data

b) Contact Data

c) Qualifications and Working Experience Data;

j) Financial Information

 - Performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps.
- Legitimate interests
- Legal Obligation 		Duration of your contract and for any legally stipulated periods
To make any adjustments that you may need in the workplace.

a) Identity Data

i) Sensitive Data

- Performance of a contract or taking steps prior to entering a contract where we have agreed with you to provide adjustments in the workplace which are not covered by local laws.
- Compliance with legal obligations such as labour, discrimination and disability legal obligations		 Duration of your contract and for any legally stipulated periods.
Contacting you for direct marketing purposes (e.g., by email, SMS, or phone).

a) Identity Data

b)Contact Data

- Consent: We will obtain your explicit consent before sending marketing communications. For as long as you have agreed to receive our marketing communications and until you withdraw consent.
To further develop, test and improve our website/Portal, or other existing or new systems/processes to better serve you.

a)Technical Data

b)Profile Data

Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to improve our systems As long as you have an active registration on our Portal and for the legally established periods.
To troubleshoot technical call problems on our networks.

a)Identity Data

b)Contact Data

c) Technical Data

d) Phone Calls Data

Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to deal with technical issues affecting our business Up to 6 months after fixing of the technical issue.
Conduct statistical and analytical studies and research. For example, to compare the effectiveness of our candidate placement across different business sectors and geographies and to seek to identify factors that may influence any differences we may identify.

a)Technical Data

b)Profile Data

c) Marketing Communications Data

 Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to improve and develop our business Up to 3 years from your last activity
To transfer data to third parties including Members of The Adecco Group, in accordance with section 7 below.

Any category of data listed above, as necessary

 - Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to provide services and subcontract those services to third parties or in case of a business transaction
- Performance of the contract or taking steps prior to entering a contract
- Consent
- Compliance with government or law enforcement authorities 		Up to 5 years from your last activity (last job application, interview, emails, m phone call or assessment) in the Portal and any additional period required under applicable local legal obligations.
To comply with our legal obligations.

Any category of data listed above, as necessary

Compliance with legal obligations such as keeping records for tax purposes or providing information to a public body or law enforcement agency. For the legally established periods in accordance with the matter in question, namely, for the period of 10 years in relation to compliance with tax obligations.
Promote the safety and protection of people, facilities, systems and assets.

a)Identity Data

b)Technical Data

c)Sensitive Data

Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to ensure our business (and the people who work in it) are kept secure and safe For the legally established periods, for example, for the period of 30 days, image recordings obtained by video surveillance systems
To monitor compliance with internal policies and procedures.

a)Identity Data

b)Profile Data

Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to ensure that our policies and procedures are complied with Up to 3 years from your last activity.
To administer communications and other systems used by the Adecco Group (including internal contact databases).

a)Identity Data

b) Contact Data

c) Technical Data

f) Phone Calls Data

h)Marketing Communications Data

Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to ensure that our systems are functioning properly As long as you have an active registration on our Portal.
To investigate or respond to incidents and complaints.

a)Identity Data

b)Contact Data

f)Phone Calls Data

i)Sensitive Data

 - Compliance with legal obligations such as labour law
- Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to resolve any incidents and complaints according to our internal procedures 		For the legally established periods according to the matter in question and as long as necessary to prove compliance with contractual or other obligations.
To promote internally the training sessions that have taken place and utilise their content, to market similar sessions internally and externally to third parties.

a) Identity Data

b) Contact Data

h) Marketing Communications Data

 - Fulfilment of our legitimate interests (when it is internal) to train our candidates and develop our client offerings
- Consent (when it is to third parties) 		As long as they are necessary to pursue the purpose and for the legally stipulated periods, necessary to prove compliance with contractual or other obligations.
To participate in any potential or actual purchase or sale, or joint venture, of all or part of a business or company, that any member of the Adecco Group wishes to participate in. Any category of data listed above, as necessary Fulfilment of our legitimate interests to promote the growth and development of the Adecco Group

 As long as they are necessary to pursue the purpose and for the legally established periods

4. How do we collect your personal information?

The personal information we collect about you comes from the application forms or other materials you submit to us, your interactions with us, and others as part of your application.

In some cases, we may also collect personal information directly or indirectly from third parties, such as recruitment agencies we work with, other entities within the Adecco Group if you have transferred from another Adecco entity, background check providers, job boards, or other job posting websites where you have given your consent for your data to be collected or downloaded, as well as publicly available sources such as LinkedIn and Twitter, all in accordance with applicable law.

5. Do you have to give us the personal information we ask for?

You are not obliged to provide your personal information to us, but it would not be possible for us to work with you, or provide our services to you, if you do not provide us with a required minimum in order to assess your suitability for a position with us. It may also limit the Services that you can receive from us if you in some instances choose to provide us with limited personal information.

6. Marketing Activities

From time to time, we may send you information that we believe could be relevant or interesting to you, or to request your assistance in connecting other candidates with available job opportunities. Specifically, we may use your personal data for the purposes outlined below, whenever appropriate and in full compliance with applicable local laws.

Certain activities require your explicit opt-in consent, while others can be carried out under soft opt-in consent. Soft opt-in consent applies when we have collected your contact details during a previous interaction with us. For instance, if you told one of our consultants that you are interested in our services, submitted a job application or CV, or registered a vacancy with us, and we are sending you marketing communications or text messages about other similar recruitment services we offer.

Under soft opt-in, we treat your consent as given unless you choose to opt out. We will always remind you of your right to opt out and provide a straightforward way to do so at the point of data collection and in every marketing message. For most people, this approach is helpful because it enables us to share information likely to be relevant and suggest other roles that may suit you alongside the one you originally applied for, improving your chances of finding a new position. Where we rely on soft opt-in, we process your personal data for marketing purposes only when it aligns with our legitimate interests.

For electronic marketing that does not fall under soft opt-in, we will only contact you if you have given your explicit consent in line with applicable local laws. All such messages clearly identify us and include a simple way to opt out, both when your details are collected and in every subsequent message.

Although we make every effort to respect your preferences, there is a small possibility that, after you have opted out, your details could be obtained again from public sources or third parties, resulting in an unsolicited marketing message. If this happens, we apologise and ask that you either use the opt-out option in that message or contact us directly at privacy@adecco.co.uk so we can remove your details from our marketing lists.

7. Do we use artificial intelligence?

As part of our commitment to delivering innovative and efficient solutions, we use machine learning and deep learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as generative AI, in our relationship with candidates. These technologies allow us to digitise, automate, and improve a wide range of processes associated with recruitment. For example, we use AI-agent-powered chatbots, to optimise your experience and be available to you around the clock. The conversations you have with our AI agent chatbots give us valuable insights that aren't immediately apparent on your profile or resume, and to quickly determine if your skills align with the essential requirements of a position.

Third-party Management
In many cases, we use AI including Large Language Models (LLM) provided by third parties, such as Microsoft, Google, or OpenAI. In order to ensure the security, confidentiality and proper handling of information, we carefully evaluate such providers prior to selection, verifying that they comply with applicable legal, ethical and security standards to protect your personal data. We also sign specific contractual clauses on liability, aimed at protecting your personal data and ensuring compliance with current regulations on AI, data protection and consumption.

Commitment to Responsibility
Our Company is committed to the responsible use of innovative HR technologies. You can check out our Principles for Responsible AI here. We do not use these technologies as a substitute for people or human interaction at any stage of our processes. Our use of these technologies aims to facilitate interactions with our candidates in a more convenient and efficient way.

While we use AI systems, all decisions that may affect you are made by our trained consultants. If, in exceptional cases, we were to make such decisions based on a fully automated process (i.e., without human involvement), we would only do so when permitted by law and after giving you advance notice.

Security measures

  • a) Human oversight We review AI systems before, during, and after the go-live date to ensure that they are operating fairly and effectively. Any identified anomalies or biases are addressed promptly to maintain the integrity of our processes.
  • b) Testing All AI systems used are subject to regular testing and auditing to minimise bias and ensure fairness. We are committed to complying with anti-discrimination laws and implementing technical and organisational measures to mitigate the risks of unfair treatment or bias.
  • c) Data management and quality Our IT staff apply data controls and security barriers to ensure that our databases are clean and consistent from the start, monitoring their behaviour throughout the lifecycle of our AI systems.
  • d) Security We apply state-of-the-art security controls to our data storage and artificial intelligence systems to prevent unauthorised access to or manipulation of our information.

Below, you can find information about the systems that the Company offers you as a candidate:

CHATBOT

We may have conversations with you through our chatbots. These are powered by generative AI which, in most cases, we will run on a tripartite model. This means that we will use a third-party Large Language Model (LLM) and get support from our trusted vendors Microsoft or Salesforce to build a secure layer between our network and the third-party LLM. In the case of chatbots, the LLM will come from OpenAI. This ensures that your personal data remains in our systems and is not shared with any LLM provider.

Here's How it Works:

When you write to our chatbot entering a question or other data, it is filtered through a TrustLayer before leaving the Adecco environment to enter the LLM. Here, the data is masked, detecting and removing personal data and data with sensitive content before it leaves the Adecco network (replaced via specific placeholders). Only then is your message sent to the LLM. It responds and sends the response to our TrustLayer, without storing any of the masked data. This means that your personal data is not retained by any LLMs we use. Before receiving the response, our TrustLayer unmasks the data and only then sends it to the chatbot.

Will my personal data be used for LLM model training or product enhancements by third-party LLMs?

No. Your personal data is not used for LLM model training or product improvements by third-party LLMs. In addition, the LLM of our chatbots does not keep any data, it forgets the masked data once it sends us the response. The models use three main sources of information to provide you with an appropriate response: (1) information that is publicly available on the internet (2) information that we partner with third parties to access, and (3) information that our users provide or generate.

Is the answer of chatbots always, correct?

Because your model is trained on data from multiple sources, it can provide you with two completely different answers to the same question. Also, even if the answer is wrong, it will confidently tell you that it is correct. Therefore, you should be wary of what is called "hallucinations" of the AI model or system. This is because models generate responses by reading your request and predicting the words most likely to appear next. In some cases, the words most likely to appear next may not be the most factually accurate. For this reason, you should not rely on the accuracy of our model results. If you notice that a result contains factually inaccurate information about you and wish to request a correction or deletion, you can submit a complaint to globalprivacy@adeccogroup.com.

Do we comply with data protection regulations when we use AI?

Yes, we protect your personal data through system policies to limit hallucinations and decrease the likelihood of unwanted or harmful results from AI, in addition, the processing flow has been encrypted in such a way that the LLM provider cannot access your personal information.

What additional safeguards are in place?

We use user feedback to improve and provide a safer, more accurate result for you. We verify training data against bias and ensure that the chatbot does not discriminate against any person based on gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and other privacy-related information. In addition, our processes ensure that a human being is at the centre of our operations and that it does not produce relevant decision-making without human intervention.

ONE TRANSCRIPT

We use Artificial Intelligence to update the information we have about you in the Candidate Portal. When you contact us for an interview or to request information about a job opening, the call may be transcribed into text and an AI model may use that transcript to update certain information about you in our systems. This is saved as a summary within your file that does not include appraisals, it simply outlines those useful points for the achievement of the vacancy to which you have applied. In the same way, the AI system does not intervene in the decision process, nor does it support the management of our consultants, beyond updating your information. Therefore, it is an administrative process that shortens the time that our employees spend updating the databases, without a real impact on your selection process.

The process is divided into two parts. On the one hand, we use Speech to Text to transcribe the call to text in real time. This is a machine learning (ML) solution provided by the MS provider AZURE. On the other hand, we used Salesforce's Einstein AI, based on a Large Language Model (LLM) to summarise that transcription. Once the transcription is complete, the AI model locates your file in the Candidate Portal and generates a summary with the most relevant points for the application.

How long is the transcript kept?

As the AI model links the transcript to a file in the Candidate Portal, the existence of the transcript depends on whether you have an open user with us. As a result, if you haven't previously opened a user, the transcript will be automatically deleted from the systems. On the other hand, if the system finds your file, it will generate the transcript and summary, deleting the first within one (1) day and storing the second during the retention period indicated in the third section of this Notice.

Does the system store the voice or any biometric data?

No. The transcription process does not retain voice, nor any other biometric data that may be generated during the online call or interview. All the information that can be generated refers to the information necessary for the selection process, linked to your professional experience or compliance with certain formal requirements (for example, being in possession of a certain driving licence or a certifying title).

What security and privacy measures have been implemented?

In addition to all the measures indicated above in this section, we have trained our consultants to inform you and protect your rights in the same communication. You can object to the processing during the call or online interview itself, as well as exercise the rights you deem appropriate through the channels provided for in this Notice. In addition, the vendors involved in this process have signed confidentiality and privacy commitments with us, so that the AI models involved are not trained on your personal information.

68. Do we transfer your personal information to third parties?

As mentioned above, we usually disclose your personal information to third parties. This is done to complete the purposes set out above. We do this in the following circumstances:

  • To our suppliers. We will, for example, engage a supplier to carry out administrative and operational work in support of our relationship with you based on our legitimate interests. The supplier(s) will be subject to contractual and other legal obligations to preserve the confidentiality of your data and to respect your privacy, and will only have access to the data they need to perform their functions; the relevant suppliers are typically IT suppliers (who host or support our IT systems, including information about you), premises management companies (who look after physical security at our buildings, and therefore need to know about you to allow access to our buildings) and back office finance and accounting management providers (who need to handle details of candidates in order to process accounts payable and receivable). We also engage suppliers who provide IT technology services and solutions, which might include video interview and skills assessment tools.
  • To members of The Adecco Group and their affiliates (‘Members of The Adecco Group’) within or outside the European Union. A list of the countries in which we operate is available on our website at www.adeccogroup.com/worldwide-locations. www.adeccogroup.com/worldwide-locations. Your information will be shared with them for different reasons:
    • information is shared with Members of The Adecco Group that provide IT functions for The Adecco Group companies worldwide for our legitimate interests;
    • information is also shared with Members of The Adecco Group worldwide (including the legal entities acquired after the collection of information) for the purposes previously described or to propose offers to you adapted to your profile where you have consented to global data sharing within The Adecco Group to provide you with local or international opportunities in that market;
    • information is also shared with Members of The Adecco Group worldwide for administrative purposes based on our legitimate interests.
  • To our clients/prospective employers. We will share your data with clients of ours who are offering jobs/assignments you may be interested in, or who are interested in your profile, based on the performance of our contract or prior to entering a contract. They owe contractual and other confidentiality obligations in relation to your data to us, and to you.
  • To government or law enforcement authorities. .We will share your data with government, police, regulators or law enforcement authorities if, at our sole discretion, we consider that we are legally obliged or authorised to do so or it would be prudent to do so.
  • To prospective sellers or buyers and their advisors. .As part of due diligence relating to (or implementation of) a merger, acquisition or other business transaction, we may need to disclose your data to the prospective seller or buyer and their advisors based on our legitimate interests.

9. Do we transfer your personal information outside your country?

Your personal information can be transferred and processed in one or more other countries, in- or outside the European Union or Switzerland. A full list of the countries in which we operate is available on our website attwww.adeccogroup.com/worldwide-locations.

We shall only transfer data to those parties set out in Section 7 above who are outside the European Economic Area, UK or Switzerland:

You may request additional information in this respect and obtain a copy of the relevant safeguard by contacting us using the details set out below.

10. What are your rights regarding your personal information?

Under applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights:

  • Right to access and obtain a copy of your personal information You are entitled to request confirmation of whether we process any of your personal information. Where this is the case, you have the right to access to some of your personal information (via the Portal) and to certain information about how it is processed. In some cases, you can ask us to provide you with an electronic copy of your information. In some limited circumstances, you also have the right to request that we transfer (“port”) your personal information, which means, we will provide them to a third party upon your request.
  • Right to correct your personal information If you can demonstrate that personal information, we hold about you is not correct, you can request that this information is updated or otherwise corrected. We would encourage you to access the self-service Portal where possible and update your personal information directly.
  • Right to be forgotten or to delete personal information In certain circumstances you have the right to request that your personal information is deleted. You can make such a request at any time, and we will evaluate if your request should be granted, however this right is subject to any legal rights or obligations where we need to retain data. For situations where in accordance with the law, we determine that your request to have your personal information deleted must be granted, we will do so without undue delay. Please bear in mind, once your data is deleted, the Company might not be of service to you anymore. If you want to re-register with the Company again, you will need to re-enter your data.
  • Right to restrict or object to the processing of your personal information In certain circumstances, you have the right to obtain restriction of the processing of your personal information, or to object to certain processing thereof on grounds relating to your particular situation.
  • Right to withdraw consent You have the right to withdraw consent at any time where we are relying on consent to process your personal information. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we may not be able to provide certain products or services to you. We will advise you if this is the case at the time you withdraw your consent.
  • Right to data portability This only applies to information you have given us. You have the right to ask that we transfer the information you gave us from one organisation to another or give it to you. The right only applies if we are processing information based on your consent or under, or in talks about entering into a contract.

Finally, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Supervisory Authority. Depending on your location, the relevant authority is as follows:

  • United Kingdom

    • Supervisory Authority: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

    • Website: www.ico.org.uk
    • Email: casework@ico.org.uk
    • Phone: 0303 123 1113
  • The Republic of Ireland

    • Supervisory Authority: Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC)

    • Website: www.oic.ie
    • Email: info@oic.ie
    • Phone: +353 1 639 5689

If you want to exercise any of your rights, please use our form by clicking here

11. What about data security when using our systems?

You are responsible for keeping your login details to the Portal safe, in particular the password that we have given you or that you have chosen. These login credentials are for your own use. You are not permitted to share your credentials or other account details with any other person(s).

12. How do we handle changes to this Privacy Notice?

The terms of this Privacy Notice may change from time to time. We shall publish any material changes to this Privacy Notice through appropriate notices either on our Portal and/or website or contacting you using other communication channels.

13. Contact

In case you:
  • have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Notice,
  • would like further information about how we protect your information (for example when we transfer it outside your country), or
  • want to contact the Adecco Group UK and Ireland’s Local Privacy Lead, please email privacy@adecco.co.uk.

To exercise any of your rights related to your personal information, please fill in this form