Employees under scrutiny

Recent high profile employee scandals have prompted UK companies to become extra vigilant when it comes to hiring new staff, according to a the Elan Employment Trends Report released today.

New research by Elan - one of Europe''s top IT recruitment consultancies - conducted amongst its blue-chip client base shows that in a world where businesses are increasingly security conscious, the HR function is becoming
a tool to shield against damage from staff misconduct. 56 per cent of organisations are now scrutinising prospective employees more thoroughly than they did 12 months ago.

References are an area of particular concern, with 56 per cent of companies making more rigorous checks with past employers. A further 52 per cent are paying closer attention to a candidate''s previous job role, and actively
checking facts with a jobseeker''s last workplace.

Gaps in employment are an added area of concern with 46 per cent of organisations double-checking reasons for long periods of unemployment - although in the IT industry employers expect contractors to have some breaks
between jobs. A further 34 per cent of firms validate a candidate''s qualifications and one in five look closely at a jobseeker''s outside interests to ensure a good potential fit with the company.

Regionally, the North of England is the most cautious when it comes to potential staff, with 64 per cent of Northern companies stating they have become more thorough when validating CVs. The Midlands is the least concerned about this with less than half looking more closely at a
candidate''s CV. The North is also the most concerned with verifying references, with 72 per cent of companies in the region making rigorous checks. Again, the Midlands is the least security conscious with only 44 per cent speaking to referees.

In terms of validating qualifications, Northern and Scottish companies are the most vigilant, with four in ten making extra checks in this area.
Northern companies are also the most likely to double-check gaps in employment, with 60 per cent of companies questioning candidates over long periods of unemployment. . In addition, Southern firms are the most concerned about a candidate''s hobbies, with one in five looking closely at
outside interests to ensure a jobseeker''s potential fit with the company, compared to only one in ten Scottish firms.

Says Kate McClorey, board director at Elan: People are the life-blood of any organisation and the recent spate of corporate indiscretions have forced businesses to re-evaluate the importance of staff integrity. The reality is
that companies are just as vulnerable to employee behaviour as threat from external attack. Today it is not enough to ensure that premises and systems are protected - firms also need a guarantee that potential employees are on
the level. References are still the best way of verifying a candidate''s claims, and we would encourage employers to contact referees as a matter of course.

Complete regional findings include:

* More companies in the North (72 per cent) check references compared to only 55 per cent in Scotland, 54 per cent in the South and 44 per cent in the Midlands.

* Southern companies are the most interested in jobseekers'' hobbies, with 22 per cent stating they would check this area, compared to 20 per cent of Northern, 16 per cent of Midlands and 10 per cent of Scottish companies.

* A higher percentage of Northern companies check previous jobs (68 per cent) compared to 50 per cent of southern companies, 45 per cent of Scottish corporations and 44 per cent of companies in the Midlands.

* Northern and Scottish companies are more careful regarding qualifications than other regions, 40% checked this area compared to 32% of Southern and 28% of Midland businesses.

* Northerners are most likely to question employment gaps with 60% keen to validate this, as opposed to 48% of Southerners, 40% of Scots and 32% of Midlanders.