Construction workers database seized

Fri, 6 Mar 2009

A company which sold workers’ confidential data to construction firms is to be closed down by the Information Commissioner.

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office, data held by Droitwich, Worcester-based The Consulting Association enabled employers to unlawfully vet job applicants.

Data found included details of employment history, trade union activity and even personal relationships. It also included comments on individuals, such as “lazy and a trouble stirrer” and “ex-shop steward”.

Following a raid on 23 February, investigators discovered details of more than 3,200 workers. 

The ICO says that the company’s clients include or included Taylor Woodrow, Laing O’Rourke and Balfour Beatty, with each paying an annual fee of £3,000.

Steve Thomas, managing director of construction recruiter Maxim Recruitment, told Recruiter he was surprised by the revelations.  “You expect the big companies to adopt best practice and to be compliant.

“The responsibility of a recruitment agency is to communicate all the information you are made aware of but obviously you must use compliant procedures.

“It’s important only to use only information that is substantiated,” he adds.

Thomas says he has never been approached by any company offering to sell data on construction workers.  And should this ever happen, he says he would certainly not be interested.