As an Employer What are the Pros and Cons of Requesting DBS Checks as Part of Recruitment?
If you’re an employer who hires staff, DBS Checks may already be part of the recruitment process, or if they’re not, it may be something you are considering introducing. This article below, will discuss the pros and cons of DBS Checks, so that you are better informed, and can decide as to whether they are a sensible part of your recruitment.
What Type of DBS Checks are There?
A DBS Check gives a record of a person’s past criminal history and looks for spent and unspent convictions. Some criminal records can be removed from people’s records depending on the age they committed a crime, the type of crime it was, and how long a period of time, has passed since they committed it. For violent or sexual offences, or terrorist offences this information would stay on people’s records forever.
There are three types of DBS Checks: Basic, Standard and Enhanced, plus Barred Lists. An individual can request a Basic DBS Check themselves; but only an employer can request a Standard or Enhanced DBS on an employee’s behalf. You can only request Enhanced Checks for employees who will be carrying out employment duties that include regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.
What are Some Pros to DBS Checks?
Trustworthy Reliable Candidates
Having every employee DBS checked as part of the recruitment process, gives a sense of security for customers, other employees, and the business itself. Knowing that someone’s past criminal history has been checked, allows the company to know that its employees are honest, above board and open to police checks. Applicants are less likely to lie on their applications, and employees feel safe, knowing they don’t have known criminals working amongst them who could be violent, abusive, untrustworthy, or dangerous. It should allow the company to know that its stock, employees, information, and customers are protected, and that sensitive information or finances are safe.
Less Risk of Liability
Ensuring that your staff are DBS Checked means there is less risk of claims or accusations from customers and employees, or anyone else your staff members work with. They also show that someone is legally able to work in the UK, so there is less risk of unintentionally employing someone who is not legally allowed to work (which can incur a large fine). If you offer or employ someone in a job with regulated activity (working with children or vulnerable adults) and they are on a barred list, you can be fined, as clearly, it’s highly dangerous and against the law. DBS checks can help with liability insurance and be useful for tax purposes.
What are Some Cons to DBS Checks?
I would argue that there are very few, and that the investment you make in DBS Checks, far outweighs any minor negatives to give you security, peace of mind, and to know that you are following the law.
However, some minor ‘cons’ to consider include:
Cost
Basic and Standard DBS Checks cost £23 each; Enhanced Checks cost £40 each. But this is minor, when you consider the damage that could be done to your company’s reputation, and the fines you could pay, or what you could be sued for, if you hire someone with a criminal background who commits a crime at your company.
Bias
DBS Checks could be seen as presenting a bias to people with a criminal record. When businesses get DBS Checks, they should consider any criminal history, and whether it is relevant to the job role. If it’s not, you should still consider that applicant fairly.
Time
DBS Checks should take 2-4 weeks. If the applicant has put any incorrect information on their form, or left sections blank, or has a very detailed address history, this can sometimes take longer for the information to come back. This can impact your business and the potential employee, as typically both are keen for the employee to get started in their new role as soon as possible. But most employees need to give a month’s notice, prior to starting the new job, so this should in most cases give adequate time.
There are some minor cons to DBS forms, but overall, the pros outweigh these many times over. Having DBS Checks for your employees is a sensible move.
