Usdaw concerned at Staff Dismissal Register

Shopworkers Union, Usdaw, is seriously concerned about the recent announcement of a National Staff Dismissal Register.

The proposed on-line register will allow employers to search for details of individuals who have been dismissed or left their company for a range of acts including theft or damage, whether they have been prosecuted or not.

Usdaw has serious concerns about the implications of this register for those individuals who may have been falsely accused or sacked because their employer did not fully investigate the accusations or simply has a grudge against them.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said:

“Employers can already use the Criminal Records Bureau to check they are making safe appointments and employers who have dishonest employees can already deal with staff theft or fraud through the courts, if necessary. To blacklist those individuals where there has been insufficient evidence to prosecute is grossly unfair. The system is open to abuse with limited right of appeal against the false recording of information.

“Of course, we do not condone any sort of dishonesty at work, but to single someone out for dishonesty without even the evidence required for a criminal prosecution is unacceptable and could lead to an innocent individual who has been falsely accused by their employer from ever working again.

"We will be raising our concerns with Government and supporting any of our members who are victimised in this way."

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 359,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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