agency unfairly pressuring me

**ChimpMaster** · 15 February 2006, 12:18

No they can't. Contact DTI and Citizens Advice Bureau, and importantly, tell the agency that you are about to do this.

**privateeye** · 15 February 2006, 12:27

Your signature is required before any security check - are they going to forge that!!!!

You have rights under the DPA as already stated I suggest that you make a complaint as high as possible in the Agency plus anything such as ATSCO if they belong to it. I would suspect it is just the employee of the Agency rather than the Agency themselves but none the les needs dealing with.

**contractoruk2006** · 15 February 2006, 12:35

cheers for that. they don't have my signature - i'll see how far i can take it.

i think the person in question is quite high-up in the company. he contacted me after the main guy couldn't get me to agree to do the security check. i'm pretty sure he's a director, but i'll have to confirm that.

**ratewhore** · 15 February 2006, 12:41

This is, as mentioned, a DPA issue. Your first step is to talk to the Data Controller at the agency and warn them that they are going to break the Law by doing this.

If they aren't that worried then your next step is the Information Commissioners Office. Go here:

http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx

and oh yeah - get a new agent...

**contractoruk2006** · 15 February 2006, 12:53

looking into it, the agency doesn't appear to be a memeber of ATSCO - which should have been a warning.

**DodgyAgent** · 15 February 2006, 12:54

Originally posted by contractoruk2006

an agency i'm currently associated with are trying to place me in a role that requires a security background check. i've pointed out to them from the beginning that i'm not happy to supply that information or go through that process (for my own personal reasons).

today one of the director's of the aforementioned agency threatened to pass on my personal information to the employer regardless.

apart from being completely unethical, can they actually do that?

Who do these people think they are? and why does anyone do business with them? You must report this to Atsco

**ratewhore** · 15 February 2006, 12:55

thats not relevant in this case. It's the Data protection Act which, well, protects your data, here.

They can be fined and also lose the ability to collect and hold personal information (which obviously impacts on their ability to perform).

**malvolio** · 15 February 2006, 13:00

Incidentally - obviously I have no idea why you don't want to go through clearance, nor do I want to, but it's worth remembering that a surprising number of things that you might think would prevent you getting it are actually permitted. What they don't like is people not telling the truth. And the bit where you lay out all the embarassing details will be in a sealed envelope so only you and the clearance officer will ever see it.

But I agree, the agency (or more likely the tosser of an agent) needs a severe kicking. You'd never get SC without your express consent anyway.

**contractoruk2006** · 15 February 2006, 13:21

Originally posted by malvolio

Incidentally - obviously I have no idea why you don't want to go through clearance, nor do I want to, but it's worth remembering that a surprising number of things that you might think would prevent you getting it are actually permitted. What they don't like is people not telling the truth. And the bit where you lay out all the embarassing details will be in a sealed envelope so only you and the clearance officer will ever see it.

But I agree, the agency (or more likely the tosser of an agent) needs a severe kicking. You'd never get SC without your express consent anyway.

i genuinely don't have anything hide, it's purely a matter of principle. the contract is between two companies, not between the company and myself. therefore the company i work for (my company), should do the vetting and guarantee to the client that all consultants have been vetted satisfactorily.

that was my original point that i put to the agency in the first place, they agreed in principle but later insisted i change my mind.

agency unfairly pressuring me