The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and “Disclosure”

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Conference
2002 National Lesbian & Gay Conference
Date
1 August 2002
Decision
Carried as Amended

Conference notes:

1The importance of ensuring that young people and vulnerable adults are protected from members of society who may wish to cause them physical, mental or sexual harm;

2)That the Government has introduced the Criminal “Disclosure” process in order to achieve these aims, and will continue to support the Government in achieving these goals.

Conference believes that despite such practices clearly being in breach of the Criminal Records Bureau’s Code of Practice for employers, there is a danger of the following abuses to the system:

A.whilst the imp[ortance of protecting young people and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance, the information garnered from the “Enhanced Disclosure” process may lead to further discrimination in the workplace;

B.employers may use irrelevant convictions, cautions or unsubstantiated reports to prevent Lesbians and Gay applicants from successfully obtaining employment with them;

C.employers may force Lesbians and Gay men to come out at work, and that this infringes their right to privacy.

Conference instructs the National Lesbian and Gay Committee to:

i)work within UNISON to promote UNISON’s position on this matter and to ensure that the CRB Code of Practice and equivalent in Scotland (Scottish Criminal Records Office – SCRO) is observed in all work places;

ii)again bring this matter to the attention of the Service Groups and other self-organised groups to help shape further advice and guidance;

iii)promote awareness of the UNISON Factsheet on the Criminal Records Bureau – Guide to Procedures and Impact on UNISON members, available on the UNISON website and from the Bargaining Support Group.