Following an interview, is there any standard time frame for letters to go out to sucessful and unsuccessful candidates.

The organisation (public sector) seem to accept that it is quite normal practice not to send letters or contact candidates for up to 4 weeks after the interview…is this normal?

I can understand if references were being chased. In some instances, unsuccessful candidates are never contacted at all.

I have suggested that unsucessful candidates should be contacted as early as possible by telephone, followed by a letter as soon as possible….this was almost laughed at.

Any ideas?
Douglas King