HRreview Header

Fraud case highlights recruitment risks

-

Employers are too trusting during the recruitment process and shouldn’t take information at face value, says The Risk Advisory Group.

The global risk consultancy’s warning follows the news that London PA Gabrielle Yinka Saunders stole £17,000 from her employer after hiding a previous workplace fraud. The case’s judge noted that she had kept this information to herself during the recruitment process but The Risk Advisory Group says that deception on behalf of an employer is not an excuse for hiring a rogue candidate.

Michael Whittington, head of employee screening at The Risk Advisory Group, said:

“It’s no surprise that job candidates will aim to hide details they’d prefer a potential employer not to know about – whether that’s a minor detail or in this case something very significant.

“But it’s a two-way process. Employers need to be aware of these vulnerabilities when putting people into positions of trust and conduct thorough background checks to ensure they are hiring the right person.”

“Don’t take any information at face value; delve into the detail and then verify it. And then verify it again. This story is proof that failing to validate a candidate’s credentials can have both a financial and reputational impact on your business.”

Recent analysis of a sample of 3,000 CVs by The Risk Advisory Group found that despite a society that reveals increasing amounts of personal information online, 63 percent of CVs contain discrepancies – a rise of 15 percent in the last ten years.

Title image courtesy of Pixabay

Steff joined the HRreview editorial team in November 2014. A former event coordinator and manager, Steff has spent several years working in online journalism. She is a graduate of Middlessex University with a BA in Television Production and will complete a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Westminster in the summer of 2015.

Latest news

James Rowell: The human side of expenses – what employee behaviour reveals about modern work

If you want to understand how your people really work, look at their expenses. Not just the total sums, but the patterns.

Skills overhaul needed as 40% of job capabilities set to change by 2030

Forecasts suggest 40 percent of workplace skills could change by 2030, prompting calls for UK employers to prioritise adaptability.

Noisy and stuffy offices linked to lost productivity and retention concerns

UK employers are losing more than 330 million working hours each year due to office noise, poor air quality and inadequate workplace conditions.

Turning Workforce Data into Real Insight: A practical session for HR leaders

HR teams are being asked to deliver greater impact with fewer resources. This practical session is designed to help you move beyond instinct and start using workforce data to make faster, smarter decisions that drive real business results.
- Advertisement -

Bethany Cann of Specsavers

A working day balancing early talent strategy, university partnerships and family life at the international opticians retailer.

Workplace silence leaving staff afraid to raise mistakes

Almost half of UK workers feel unable to raise concerns or mistakes at work, with new research warning that workplace silence is damaging productivity.

Must read

Beverlie Wilkinson: Making HR look good – a coach’s perspective on strategic partnerships

As an executive coach working with multiple organisations, I've witnessed firsthand how coaching partnerships can transform HR's impact.

Margaret Anne Clark: Test case needed to shine light on tribunal grey area

Head of employment law at specialist employment law firm Law At Work, Margaret Anne Clark discusses the impact of the abolition of tribunal fees.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you