We all know that recent years have been tough for businesses in all sectors, and there is rising concern that some organisations may be tempted to cut corners – and costs - by neglecting Disclosure and Barring Service checks, or DBS checks. These are the criminal records checks on employees which were previously known as CRB checks. Most employers just accept the cost and inconvenience of getting a DBS check as part of the standard costs of business, but what are the implications for you if your employer has turned a blind eye to getting a DBS check?
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
The most important concern when employers skip DBS checks is the safety of children and vulnerable adults. DBS checks are the main tool which employers have to help them screen out individuals with a history of harmful behaviour or an extensive criminal history. In many roles requiring an enhanced disclosure check, such as those working in healthcare or education, a DBS check is absolutely non-negotiable.
Legal Consequences
Failing to perform DBS checks can expose employers to significant legal risks. Many industries require thorough employee screening by law, and this is particularly the case in industries such as healthcare or education, where employers have to check academic qualifications and experience as well as criminal history. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, fines, or legal action against the employer. For instance, if Ofsted, the body which oversees education in England and Wales finds that a school or nursery has not conducted DBS checks, it can close the institution and place it under interim management while the breach is investigated.
Workplace Safety
Not carrying out DBS checks where required can also compromise workplace safety. If you are not doing DBS checks on workers, you risk hiring someone with a criminal history and this might pose a threat to colleagues, clients, or the public. An unsafe work environment means that workers don’t trust the company, and may leave, causing increased recruitment costs too. Nobody wants to work in an environment with an unpredictable and potentially violent co-worker.
Damage to a Company Reputation
A company's reputation can be severely damaged if it employs people who have questionable backgrounds which they don’t know about because they haven’t bothered with DBS checks. If that worker then goes on to do something criminal or violent at work, this can lead to a loss of trust among clients, partners, and the public, negatively impacting business prospects and the bottom line. Customers have long memories when it comes to hearing negative things about local companies and employers.
Financial Consequences
Skipping DBS checks can have financial repercussions too. It’s not just any fines which a company might have to pay. Organisations may also be asked to pay other costs resulting from insufficient screening, such as legal fees, compensation payouts, and expenses to repair the organisation's image. Many companies just accept the cost of doing DBS checks as an investment to protect them against all these potential costs in the long run.
