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.