Criminal records
Depending on the role for which a candidate has applied, employers may need to find out whether or not the individual has any criminal convictions before he or she can start work.
Employers can check job applicants’ criminal records with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). HR departments normally deals with DBS disclosures.
What the Oxfam scandal can teach us about background checking
The recent scandals involving Oxfam and other charities have come as a surprise to many, but could these embarrassing allegations...
Oxfam sex scandal spreads to UK charity shops
The sex scandal engulfing Oxfam’s operations overseas has now extended to its charity shops in the UK, after its former...
DBS background checks not bringing the benefits expected
A National Audit Office investigation into the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) has found its modernisation programme is running three...
Background screening: Eight key checks employers must make
Increased compliance means rising numbers of employers are performing numerous background checks on employees. Steve Smith...
Government should ‘ban the box’ in DBS criminal records overhaul
The current disclosure of youth criminal records in the UK undermines principles of youth justice and could fall short of...
Time for change? Rehabilitation of offenders and the Lammy review
Last month, David Lammy MP published a review recommending that, in certain cases, criminal records could be sealed from employers....
Lammy review: Criminal records could be ‘sealed’ from employers
Individuals’ criminal records could be sealed from employers as part of a series of recommendations made in an independent review...
Criminal record checks: filtering system ruled unlawful
The incoming Government must rethink criminal record disclosure rules after defeat in the Court of Appeal over the process for...
How employers can break the re-offending cycle
Young entrepreneur Jacob Hill has just launched Offploy, which guides businesses through the HR, legal and ethical minefield associated with...
Leadsom and “CV-gate”: how can HR always be sure of accuracy?
Before she stepped out of the Conservative party leadership race earlier this week, Andrea Leadsom had already attracted unwanted attention...
Religious discrimination: Christian teacher’s dismissal for refusal to divorce sex offender
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held that a Christian employee, dismissed for not divorcing her husband when he was...
Criminal record checks: filtering process is inadequate
The High Court has upheld a challenge by way of judicial review to the present criminal record checks scheme, finding...
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults: five tips for recruitment
Organisations that provide services for children and/or vulnerable adults can set out in a safeguarding policy how they recruit staff...
High Court: criminal record checks are “arbitrary” and unlawful
The High Court has declared that the Government’s criminal record disclosure scheme is incompatible with the Human Rights Act.
Ruling...
Hiring ex-offenders: staying on the right side of the law
In 2014, the law around hiring ex-offenders changed, bringing with it confusion and a heightened risk of dishonesty and suspicion...
