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International News

UK Employers Face Fines Over Inappropriate Background Checks

March 01, 2011 posted by Steve Brownstein

Employers that repeatedly make inappropriate or even unlawful background checks on staff will in future face fines of up to £500,000 as part of the coalition government’s revamp of the controversial Vetting and Barring Scheme.

The proposals would see the VBS replaced by a significantly scaled back system targeting only those personnel who have close and regular contact with children and vulnerable adults such as teachers, nurses and care workers.

Criminal records checks would no longer apply to volunteers who occasionally or might interact with them. The changes are expected to be introduced in about 18 months if, as anticipated, the Bill reaches the statute book early next year.

Under the new regime, employers that knowingly ask for a background check that is inappropriate or even illegal will be hit with a penalty, however. In the most extreme cases, they could be referred to the Information Commissioner to assess whether data protection laws have been breached.