BC’s Information and Privacy Commissioner says police should stop disclosing non-conviction information to employers.
According to the Commissioner thousands of police information checks are requested by employers or volunteer groups during a the hiring process for individuals every year.
Elizabeth Denham says the checks can have a significant and lasting impact on an individual’s privacy and there is no evidence that the non-conviction information in the record checks predicts a risk of future criminal behaviour, improves the safety of citizens, or results in better hiring decisions.
She says while a criminal record check reports an individual’s prior convictions, a police information check can contain details about investigations that do not result in charges, charges that don’t result in convictions, and information about an individual’s mental health.
Denham says with the exception of those working with children and vulnerable adults, non-conviction information should be off-limits in an employment-related record check.
