Job agency- sharp practice?

[Mosaic]

I wonder if anyone else is noticing / suspecting similar to this: I got an email re. an urgent temporary post. I phoned in and was told that the job had gone - but if I came in and bought a CRB off them I'd be first choice next time.

ie give us £44 and we'll think of finding you a job, perhaps maybe.

Hmmmm......

[Craftypig]

I thought the only place you could get a CRB check from was the police?

[scotman]

As far as I know there are regulations covering how agencies operate. Such things as advertising non-existent vacancies just to attract potential clients are banned. Seems like this could be a new slant on that with the added bonus of making money.
If you are really concerned contact Trading Standards in your area.

[bednobs]

not really much point in getting a CRB - aren't they employer specific?
i don't think it's illegal to tell a certain group of people (ie the ones with crb checks) about a job first.

[saxy_jag]

You may be interested in this link:
http://www.direct.gov...tinganewjob/DG_195809
This says that only registered organisations can request CRB checks.

The cost of an enhanced check £44 - that's a government cost. It's up to your employer whether they ask you to pay it or not, and and they are also allowed to charge you a processing fee.

It could be worth you getting one, because it could go in your favour when applying for other jobs that require one. Even if, like my employer, they insist on your having a check that they have funded, you will at least be one step ahead of the opposition.

You should get the check certificate addressed directly to you at your home address, and your employer will need to record that they have seen it, but it should remain your property.

[Buenchico]

CRB checks are ONLY available to employers (or voluntary organisations, etc) where the work will fall into one of the 66 categories listed here:
http://www.homeoffice...ons-guide?view=Binary
Any employer (or, more usually, a registered 'umbrella body') countersigning an application for a CRB check must state which category the employment will fall under.

Many employers (including large organisations, such as the Post Office and many employment agencies) openly flout the law, by seeking to circumvent the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, through falsified applications for CRB checks. (It's ironic that employers who don't want to employ anyone with spent criminal convictions are happy to indulge in criminal actions in order to achieve their aims).

Chris

[boxtops]

The only time in my experience where an agency could do this is an organisation such as NHS Employers which runs a temp agency for the NHS, where people do need CRB checks for certain jobs - and presumably there's something similar for Education and Social Services. I can't see that any other agency could possibly be a Registered Body eligible to apply for CRB clearances.

[boxtops]

^^ and PS yes - currently CRBs are for specific employers or organisations - I have had to have three separate reports for different organisations in which I am involved. There is no such thing at present as a carte blanche CRB report which you could take from job to job with you.

[Buenchico]

That's partly true, Boxtops.

A 'standard' level CRB check shows all convictions and cautions, and nothing else. So exactly the same information will appear on a check for one type of job as for another. (So, if someone is required to undergo a standard CRB check for a particular job, and they've only just received the CRB check from another one, the existing check would probably still be regarded as valid for the new application). So there is a certain amount of 'portability' of standard level CRB checks.

However 'enhanced' checks are 'job specific'. They show the same information as a standard check but also anything a senior police officer (or other relevant authority) deems to be relevant. So someone could apply for work with vulnerable elderly people and the police might decide not to mention the fact that the applicant has been frequently seem watching children in playgrounds. The same guy couldn't then use that CRB check when applying to work as a school caretaker.

[boxtops]

Yes, I can agree re the enhanced checks, Chris - all mine have been enhanced. Still not sure about the portability of a standard check, though...

[Buenchico]

It would simply be at the discretion of an employer, Boxtops. No employer is obliged to accept a recent standard level CRB check from elsewhere but (in the interests of economy) many would probably choose to do so.