The GMB union warned employees who require Security Industry Authority criminal record checks in order to get work, not to agree to receive a ‘first course of conduct warning’ from police, as it could lead to dismissal from their jobs, the union claimed.
The motivation for people to accept the police caution even if they are innocent of any allegation or charges is that they are led to believe that that will be the end of the matter, according to the union at its June cognress in Blackpool. They are not advised that this gives them a criminal record. And that the effect is that they could loss their job due to a need for security vetting, the union adds.
Once the warning has been issued there is no appeal. The police do not have to tell people of the possible effects on licensed workers.
Sheila Mckane from Barnoldswick, Colne, Lancashire speaking on behalf of the GMB Central Executive Council (CEC) told the GMB Congress of the benefits of the 1997 Harassment Act has brought to people whose lives have been blighted by domestic violence and other forms of harassment that is difficult to prove."
Paul Campbell, GMB Organiser said: "The flip side of the Harassment Act 2003 is that for those wrongly or maliciously accused, it can be difficult to defend themselves against false accusations. Clearly victims need protection but it must be proved that they have been victims of harassment in the first place. They need to know that the authorities will take their fears and concerns seriously and take appropriate action. But those falsely accused also need safeguards, against finding themselves in a situation where they are erroneously labeled, unable to clear their names without recourse to a court. Some GMB members who work in secure establishment with Home Office accreditation and other who work in the licensed security industry have been suspended by their employers for having been issued with first course of conduct warnings. The burden of proof is placed on the individual to demonstrate their innocence and failing that, individuals are in some cases being summarily dismissed from their jobs because of criminal record they have unwittingly received."
