National staff dismissal register extended outside of retail sector

Staff theft and fraud is estimated to have cost the retail industry nearly £3 billion in the last six years with an average annual loss estimated at nearly half a million pounds.

In response to this, a new National Staff Dismissal register has recently gone live. The purpose of the register is to assist businesses to avoid the recruitment of staff who have previously been dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct for acts such as theft, fraud, document falsification, causing loss to a business and damaging company property. Originally started by retailers in conjunction with the Home Office, access to the register is now available to non retail businesses. We are informed by Action Against Business Crime that the register also has the approval of the Information Commissioner.

Whilst prudent employers may take up and investigate references from former employers of a job applicant, the more detailed information available on the new register, including a copy personnel file, is more likely to help businesses to protect themselves. A search of the new register may help organisations to reduce the risk of employing a serial fraudster in their organisation.

In order to obtain access to the register, employers must show that they operate a good standard of human resources practices and pass an assessment.

If you would like further information about this or any of our e-lerts, please do not hesitate to contact Joan Pettingill on joanp@hlwlaw.co.uk or Barry Warne on barryw@hlwlaw.co.uk.