Some of the UK’s largest retailers are working together to build a database to blacklist staff who have been sacked or faced disciplinary action for stealing, forgery or fraud.
The National Staff Dismissal Register, which is supported by large retailers including Harrods, HMV, Mothercare and Selfridges, is expected to hold the details of thousands of staff for up to five years, even if they have not been prosecuted.
The database will allow companies to check if applicants had been disciplined by previous employers. Action Against Business Crime, which is behind the register, was set up four years ago by the Home office and the British Retail Consortium. It says that the register will allow businesses to make cost savings through a reduction in losses – staff theft and fraud currently costs the retail industry in the region of £500m a year.
Mike Schuck, chief executive of Action Against Business Crime said, “with the increasing sophistication of internal dishonesty, we need to ensure the industry has the most effective tools at its disposal to reduce losses.”
It is expected that human rights groups will oppose the database, as, at present, there are no safeguards in place to protect the falsely accused.
© Crimson Business Ltd.
