Two research studies from IRS, published on XpertHR this week, shed light on how employers use information on job candidates' absence records and medical details, along with detailed background checks, to inform the recruitment process.

Based on information from 178 organisations, together employing some 420,000 people, the study on absence records and medical details finds that three-quarters of employers that obtain such information believe it contributes positively to effective recruitment and absence management. Those that do not obtain such information tend to cite pragmatic rather than principled reasons for not doing so.

Meanwhile the parallel study on background checks, based on information from 177 organisations collectively employing more than one million people, finds that more than half the employers using such checks have exposed discrepancies, inaccuracies or dishonesty in job applications.

It also finds that employers using the Criminal Records Bureau or its Scottish equivalent, Disclosure Scotland, are broadly satisfied with most aspects of their services, such as the accuracy of the disclosures, but are less happy with the speed and cost of obtaining them.

An interesting finding from the latter study is that very few employers are using social networking websites such as Facebook to check candidates' backgrounds, suggesting that stories about this practice in the media have been exaggerated. Out of 177 employers conducting background checks on potential recruits, only four (2%) make use of such sites to get information on candidates.

David Shepherd, Editor

Employment law

Acas consults on revised discipline and grievance code
Acas has launched a consultation on revisions to its statutory code of practice on discipline and grievance to take account of the forthcoming abolition of the statutory dispute resolution procedures.

Government announces rules for skilled foreign workers
The Government has announced its proposals for strict rules for the recruitment of skilled foreign workers.

Topic of the week: Changes to the Sex Discrimination Act
Sarah-Marie Williams and Tom Kelly of Clyde & Co begin a series of articles on harassment with an overview of the recent changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Legal Q&A: Whistleblowing
Martin Warren, head of employment law at Eversheds, answers questions on whistleblowing policies.

Weekly dilemma: Caring for a non-family member
Roger Tynan, partner at Maclay Murray and Spens, offers advice for employers dealing with carers in the workforce.

Latest case reports added to XpertHR
We provide a round-up of case reports added to XpertHR this week, covering variation of contract and TUPE transfers.

Case reports stop press
XpertHR's case reports stop press service highlights recent key cases including the Court of Appeal’s decision in Towergate London Market Ltd v Harris that where an employee failed to appeal against her dismissal for redundancy, but then sought to raise a grievance, she reasonably believed that a dismissal or disciplinary procedure was ongoing when the original time limit for bringing a tribunal claim expired.

Recruitment and retention

How recruiters use candidates' absence and medical details…
Research by IRS sheds light on how employers obtain information about the absence and medical details of their potential recruits, what recruiters do with these details, and the costs involved.

…and how they use background checks
Many employers undertake detailed background checks when recruiting, particularly to positions of trust; research by IRS looks at the methods they use, focusing in particular on references and Criminal Records Bureau disclosures.

HR strategy and policy

Survey: Business continuity planning
We look at how employers can prepare for unexpected events that could lead to disruption of their business, by examining the practices of 51 organisations.

Managing ex-pats: no place like home
Global assignments are a great way to keep staff engaged, but they need to be handled carefully, discovers Personnel Today.

Employee relations

Vodafone’s entertaining employee-engagement strategy
Vodafone aims to create a highly motivated workforce through its people plans for every management area and engagement activities across the UK.

Training and development

360-degree assessments: the importance of training
Introducing a 360-degree assessment system is all very well, but it won't deliver unless training needs are addressed.

Employment intelligence: from the blog

Below the belt: style police clamp down on dress crimes
The news that a Royal Mail employee was escorted off his employer’s premises by police for wearing the wrong type of shorts has reminded me of one my youthful misdemeanours – or was it a crime?

Just can't get the staff?
Then the contingency is not altogether remote that sir has not weighed their emoluments sufficiently.

How to put employee wellbeing on the agenda
Two new model policies added recently to XpertHR provide timely guidance on employee wellbeing.

Testimonials from former Google emloyees
Testimonials from ex-employees don't get much more glowing than those published on the unofficial Google Operating System blog.

News from XpertHR

Coming soon to XpertHR
Forthcoming additions to XpertHR include a line manager briefing on inducting employees and a policy on religious observance during working hours.

Latest additions to XpertHR services
A number of enhancements have been made to XpertHR's frequently asked questions and case reports stop press services.

Save £50 on managing stress conference
XpertHR subscribers are entitled to a £50 discount per delegate on IRS's forthcoming managing stress at work conference.