The Employment Practices Data Protection Code

The Information Commissioner published in March 2002 Part I of the Employment Practices Data Protection Code dealing with recruitment and selection.

The Code provides practical benchmarks for good practice in relation to a variety of issues that occur during the recruitment process. A range of issues is covered from the initial advertising for staff, interviewing and through to the retention of recruitment records with an aim of striking a balance between the legitimate rights of workers and respect for their private lives and the legitimate needs of an employer to run a business.

The Code includes the well publicised observation that job applicants will have the right to demand a copy of their prospective employees.

The Code applies to "workers" including:-

• Employees (current and former)
• Applicants (successful and unsuccessful)
• Agency workers (current and former)
• Casual workers (current and former)

The Code can be downloaded from the website of the Information Commissioner at www.dataprotection.gov/