DATABASE: employers can check if prospective employees have been accused of theft


Leading employment lawyers have condemned plans to launch an online blacklist of workers accused of theft or of causing loss to employers as 'dangerous', 'reminiscent of the McCarthy era' and 'wide open' to libel actions.



The National Staff Dismissal Register (NSDR) is the brainchild of the Action Against Business Crime (AABC) and is expected to go live at the end of the month.



Employers will be able to check whether prospective employees have faced allegations of stealing, forgery, fraud, damaging company property or causing a loss to employers or suppliers.



Michael Burd, head of employment at City firm Lewis Silkin, said employers risked breaching data protection rules, adding: 'The other danger is libel. It's a rich man's route, but this list is wide open to the risk of civil actions.'



John McMullen, head of employment at north-east firm Watson Burton, said blacklists enable employers to 'dismiss staff on the likelihood of guilt rather than the burden of proof beyond doubt. This blacklist is a dangerous development and reminiscent of the McCarthy era'.



Edward Cooper, head of employment at national firm Russell Jones & Walker said: 'Workers could be victims of the process, with management jumping to conclusions or even "scapegoating" to save their own necks.'



AABC chief executive Mike Schuck defended the scheme, claiming theft by staff costs the British economy billions of pounds each year and that only employers who comply with data protection rules could subscribe.



He said workers without convictions appeared on the list because 'most employers don't wish to become involved in protracted cases within the criminal justice system'.



A spokeswoman for the Information Commissioner's Office confirmed it had been consulted on the database? and said individuals should notify them if they are unhappy with how their details have been used.



Jonathan Rayner