CRB Check

[ymwoods]

Hi Guys, First of all let me start by saying I have absolutely nothing to hide, all I have on my record is a long list of helping the Police convict criminals (comes with the job) and then a S59.

However after 3 years my employer has suddenly realised (because of an Audit) that I never had a CRB check done. Thing is I was never told I needed one, it is not in my contract that I must have one and was never stipulated as a condition of employment.

Am I within my right to refuse? I know it may just be easier to say yes, but its just I have worked for 3 years, no problems with my service, and I have never had any complaints. Then all of a sudden they want to check me out...
I am beginning to become one of these people that hate any personal data being displayed or shown to anyone where I can't control it. I suppose this is why I have a problem with one being done, it was never a condition of employment, yet 3 years later they want to have a rummage around in my personal data.

For clarification, My Job is a Night Porter at a Hotel (and manager when it suits them to have me run the site and babysit the staff)

[T89 Callan]

I'm not a fan of giving out my personal details either but I recently had to get a CRB done and I had to give less information than on many other forms.

It was only really a name address and NI Number, only took a few minutes and was fairly hassle free.

[NoNeed]

I hope you don't have to as i'm no fan of this either. The bottom line is a CRB check will only prove that you have never been caught, not that you arn't a threat. It's only there to create money for goverment departments and jobs for nosey people that read the guardian.

[ymwoods]

sorry, seen a few people bump topics for the "morning crowd", I know its generally bad practice to bump topics but I have already been questioned about this issue at work this morning and will be getting the grilling when I go in tonight so was just wondering if anyone had any hard facts that I could go in with?

I did manage to get some more information out of my line manager, apparently its not the Audit wich has prompted this sudden CRB check, its that they have received specific information on another employee (not me, and been told to STFU about it at work) that they could have some convictions for what she described as 'aggressive' crimes. But the CRB check is being done on all of us so that they were not singled out.

Although it is still needed for this audit thing regardless, I got the feeling that if it wasn't for this other 'information' they would have felt the cost would not have been worth it.

Edited by ymwoods on Saturday 19th December 10:36

[loltolhurst]

think its terrible employers have access to this. if you are working with children eg a school fair enough but if youve done your time that should be it. what do we want - anyone with any single conviction ever not being able to get a job - what do you think that will make people resort too..

[Kermit power]

I don't think it's anything in particular to worry about. I had to have one done for coaching mini-rugby. As has been said, you basically provide your name, address and a couple of other minor bits of information, and a few weeks later you get a certficate back to tell you you're not a convicted kiddy fiddler. But then you knew that anyway.

I could see it catching out people who've lied or concealed convictions, but hey ho, that's their problem. As you say, you've nothing to be afraid of, there's really no problem. It's just a confirmation of a negative, not a secret MI5 dossier or anything.

[ymwoods]

I actually think I just helped myself!

If anyone else has the same problem, the ONLY time a person or organisation can ask for a CRB check is when they fall under any of These guidence codes. Of which my job does not.

Also the PDF document titled "Codes of Practice" states:

The company (or umbrella corporation, which I take to mean a third-party company that makes the request on behalf of another company or individual) need to make availible, and already have, in writing a document explaining how they securley handle your CRB data and how they intend to store it securly.

All data from the check (under the DPA) must be destroyed within 6 months following a RECRUITMENT decision and no copies must ever be made, at any time unless permission has been sourced from the CRB service.

EFA

Edited by ymwoods on Sunday 20th December 09:01

[RizzoTheRat]

There's not much of an issue with them keeping any data on you as nothing seems to be linked up. My girlfiend's a teacher, so has a CRB for that, to be able to teach with her dive club she had to have another one, and recently changed teaching jobs and had to have another one!

[ymwoods]

From the eligible job roles it seems that I do not need to have this done, however my employer seems to believe that they can request one as its on the basis of dishonesty that they are requesting one (dishonesty in listing crimes you may have commited, but are not spent)

I don't however seem to have an option for lying about your history as criteria for a check...

Please, if you know anything, information would be helpful.

[NoNeed]

I would guess that if the job itself doesn't require it, they can't ask. Well after 3 years missed the opportunity.
but like yourself i'm keen to know the answer as my wife had one done recently.

[Kermit power]

ymwoods said:

Note that the employer has to be a school or higher education establishment to ask for a CRB check because you work with people under 18 (unless they are classed as vulnerable)

Unless "vulnerable" includes all kids under a certain age, I'd question that. I certainly have to have one to coach mini-rugby, and our club is neither a school nor a higher education establishment.

[ymwoods]

Kermit power said:

ymwoods said:

Note that the employer has to be a school or higher education establishment to ask for a CRB check because you work with people under 18 (unless they are classed as vulnerable)

Unless "vulnerable" includes all kids under a certain age, I'd question that. I certainly have to have one to coach mini-rugby, and our club is neither a school nor a higher education establishment.

Agreed, have re-read the eligible criteria and I have got it wrong, my orignal post has been edited to exclude that information. All the rest is correct though according to the website.

[Eric Mc]

So far, I've had three CRB checks undertaken - and NONE of them were due to what I do for a living. CRBs are not necessarilly work relatred. They are Child Related and might need to be done if you do voluntary work with children or you are part of the management team of a club or society which has child memebers

[cazzer]

I'm waiting for mine to come back for my NEW JOB (yeaaaaaaay).
Nothing to do with kids though.
Also applies for working with vulnerable adults.

[ymwoods]

Mine has nothing to do with working with children at all (apart from kids WITH their parents on check-in) and nothing to do with vulnerable adults.