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1. a consistent approach
The ideal scenario in global screening programmes is a consistent process in all locations, however, due to reason in points 2-6 below, the one size fits all approach won’t always work.
2. availability of information
Just because information is available in the UK doesn’t mean the same information is available in all countries. The UK has a mature and well-developed criminal and financial checking process with access to data being direct. That’s not always the case in every country, for example, the UK has a number of credit bureaus where we can obtain information on a person’s adverse financial information but not all countries have a credit bureau.
3. local data protection regulations
We always need to consider what is the in-country data protection requirements. Even with GDPR where much of the EU looked to become aligned each country can still add their own specific legislation in tandem.
4. acceptability
In all countries you must consider the legal justification for each of the checks you want to carry out. Even though the check is available doesn’t mean that it’s legal to use it for employment purposes. It’s not the data availability that dictates what checks can be conducted its local regulation, legislation and sometimes what’s culturally acceptable.
5. personal data storage
Where are your applicants' data stored? If you are using a screening provider make sure you find out where their servers located!
6. it's a big world
There are over 240 countries and territories outside of the UK. This means with over 240 countries and territories across the globe; every country has their own set of Data Privacy Laws, making global screening more complex.
7. only screening for the UK
Even If you only recruit in the UK the likelihood is that you will be recruiting people that have lived and worked in other countries, so you still need a global screening program. Your company is only as strong as the weakest link. So, if you have an excellent UK screening program but you don’t extend that to applicant’s time living or working in other countries then you need to focus on closing the gap when it comes to international screening.