Candidate Privacy Notice

1. Introduction

This Candidate Privacy Notice explains how Federation of Optical Talent ("FOT", "we", "our", "us") collects, stores and processes personal information relating to individuals seeking careers support, market insight, recruitment support or potential opportunities within the optical industry.

Federation of Optical Talent operates under Inspired Selections, which acts as the Data Controller under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.

This notice applies where you:

• Upload a CV
• Register interest in vacancies or potential opportunities
• Request career advice or support
• Complete website forms
• Ask us to approach employers confidentially
• Join newsletters or job alerts
• Engage with Federation representatives

2. Data Controller Details

Inspired Selections UK LTD Company Registration Number: 06503828 Registered Address: The Beren, Blisworth Hill Business Park, Stoke Road, Blisworth, Northamptonshire, England, NN7 3DB Trading through: Federation of Optical Talent

Website: www.opticaltalent.co.uk Email: info@opticaltalent.co.uk

3. The Information We Collect

We may collect and process:

Personal Details

• Full name
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Location

Professional Information

• CVs
• Employment history
• Qualifications
• Registrations
• Skills
• Current role

Career Preferences

• Preferred locations
• Salary expectations
• Working patterns
• Career ambitions
• Preferred employers
• Desired working environment

Recruitment Information

• Notes from conversations
• Candidate feedback
• Opportunity preferences
• Interview feedback
• Availability

Communications Data

• Marketing preferences
• Newsletter preferences
• Job alert preferences
• WhatsApp preferences

Technical Information

• IP address
• Device information
• Website analytics
• Cookie preferences

4. Information We Do Not Intentionally Request

Federation of Optical Talent does not intentionally request:

• Medical or health information
• Ethnicity data
• Religious beliefs
• Criminal record information
• Political opinions

Candidates should avoid including sensitive personal information unless legally necessary or specifically requested.

Where such information appears within a CV, we will process it appropriately and in accordance with applicable law.

5. Why We Process Candidate Information

Provide Recruitment Support

• Reviewing CVs
• Discussing opportunities
• Understanding career ambitions
• Identifying suitable roles

Provide Career Guidance

• Salary insight
• Market intelligence
• Career support
• Industry updates

Manage Potential Opportunities

• Identifying employers aligned to candidate goals
• Exploring future opportunities
• Approaching practices confidentially where permission exists

Communicate With Candidates

• Job alerts
• Newsletters
• Career updates
• Industry insight

Improve Services

• Candidate experience
• Website performance
• Service quality

6. Lawful Basis For Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on:

Consent

Examples: newsletter sign up, job alerts, WhatsApp communications.

Legitimate Interests

Examples: recruitment activity, career support, candidate matching, maintaining records.

Contractual Necessity

Examples: taking steps before introducing opportunities.

Legal Obligation

Examples: regulatory requirements, legal compliance.

7. Potential Opportunities and Practice Profiles

Federation of Optical Talent differs from a traditional vacancy website.

The platform may display:

• Practice profiles
• Employers
• Career pathways
• Possible opportunities
• Future opportunities

Some practices shown may not have active vacancies.

Registering interest does NOT guarantee:

• Vacancies exist
• Interviews
• Employer engagement
• Employment offers

Candidates may request confidential approaches to employers.

8. Confidential Employer Approaches

Candidates may ask Federation representatives to contact practices or employers confidentially.

Where permission is given, we may:

• Share limited candidate information
• Explore whether opportunities may exist
• Facilitate introductions

Employers are under no obligation to progress discussions.

9. Sharing Candidate Information

The Inspired Recruitment Group

For recruitment support, career guidance, candidate representation and opportunity discussions.

Potential Employers or Practices

Only where relevant and appropriate.

Technology Providers

Including CRM systems, communication tools and website services.

Professional Advisers

Where legally necessary.

Federation of Optical Talent does not sell candidate information.

10. Human Review and Candidate Matching

Candidate matching and opportunity exploration involve human review.

Federation of Optical Talent does not use automated decision-making to determine recruitment outcomes.

11. AI & Chatbot Use

Website chat functions:

• Do not store conversations
• Do not retain personal information
• Do not make recruitment decisions

12. Marketing Communications

Candidates may receive:

• Job alerts
• Market insight
• Industry news
• Newsletters
• Career guidance communications

You may unsubscribe at any time.

13. Data Retention

Candidate information will generally be retained for 24 months following the last meaningful interaction.

Information may be deleted earlier upon request unless retention is required for legal reasons.

14. Security

We take reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect candidate information.

No internet transmission can be guaranteed as completely secure.

15. Candidate Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

• Request access to data
• Request correction
• Request deletion
• Request restriction
• Object to processing
• Request portability
• Withdraw consent where applicable

Requests: info@opticaltalent.co.uk

16. Complaints

Complaints regarding candidate data or processing should be directed to info@opticaltalent.co.uk.

Acknowledged within 5 working days. Response within 20 working days.

You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

17. Changes To This Notice

Federation of Optical Talent may update this Candidate Privacy Notice periodically. The latest version will be published at www.opticaltalent.co.uk.

18. Contact Details

Federation of Optical Talent Email: info@opticaltalent.co.uk Website: www.opticaltalent.co.uk