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Previously on "Security Clearance Discrimination"

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  • gingerjedi
    replied
    Originally posted by TykeMerc View Post
    Hmm the forms I've seen (obviously revealing my Security Clearance status on a public board could be seen as a risk) were in writable PDF format so keeping a copy would be a lot easier.

    As you said gathering the info would be far from straight forwards in many cases.
    I'm starting to wish I didn't have SC, I keep getting sent to a site in the back end of knowhere because I'm the only one who has SC on the project.

    Leave a comment:


  • TykeMerc
    replied
    Originally posted by gingerjedi View Post
    It’s a PITA gathering all that info, I wish I'd photocopied my application before sending it off.
    Hmm the forms I've seen (obviously revealing my Security Clearance status on a public board could be seen as a risk) were in writable PDF format so keeping a copy would be a lot easier.

    As you said gathering the info would be far from straight forwards in many cases.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mailman_1
    replied
    I have been SC'ed twice by MI5 and the DVA and they both took 3 months. My DV took just over 10 months from sending the forms to the clearance actually coming thorough. My application was pretty straight forward in all cases (British, no family, convictions, financial problems, deviancy etc etc). I have had colleagues with circumstances (eg. Foreign nationals, married to foreign nationals etc) who have had to wait up to 18 months for their SC clearance to come through. Even if you have never been to Canada etc, the DVA or whichever agency is doing your clearance will still need to contact each countries government that you are affiliated to to confirm the status of yourself and your family etc. financial, criminal etc etc etc. It's not just the slow UK government involved in your case but the slow Swiss and Canadians too. Good Luck.

    Leave a comment:


  • gingerjedi
    replied
    Originally posted by Peoplesoft bloke View Post

    Their definition of "processed" is presumably the "process" where when you ring up after 4 weeks they claim they have lost the forms and make you fill 'em all in again.
    It’s a PITA gathering all that info, I wish I'd photocopied my application before sending it off.

    Leave a comment:


  • Peoplesoft bloke
    replied
    Originally posted by The Lone Gunman View Post
    DVA says 97% of SC applications processed within 30 days according to their news release.
    Hmm let's see, news release from a Government Agency.......now I wonder if that's likely to be

    a)Truthfull
    b) Full of half-truths, lies, spin and bollocks

    Their definition of "processed" is presumably the "process" where when you ring up after 4 weeks they claim they have lost the forms and make you fill 'em all in again.

    Leave a comment:


  • gingerjedi
    replied
    Originally posted by The Lone Gunman View Post
    DVA says 97% of SC applications processed within 30 days according to their news release.
    Hmmm... my SC took 12 weeks despite the fact it was a renewal and I had previously held DV, even then they only gave me 3 years this time??

    Leave a comment:


  • The Lone Gunman
    replied
    DVA says 97% of SC applications processed within 30 days according to their news release.

    Leave a comment:


  • Crossroads
    replied
    Originally posted by swamp View Post
    Your client is being totally unreasonable.
    If the lack of SC is hindering the delivery of services (e.g. requiring supervision) then the client is quite rightly entitled to seek a different supplier who will not cause such issues.[/QUOTE]
    Originally posted by swamp View Post
    SC clearance can typically take up to six months even if you are British!
    I'm currently working on a site that requires SC, and 2 - 4 weeks is not that unusual.

    Leave a comment:


  • ratewhore
    replied
    Originally posted by swamp View Post
    Your client is being totally unreasonable.
    Er, no they're not.

    Leave a comment:


  • swamp
    replied
    Your client is being totally unreasonable.

    There is no way they can expect your clearance to come through in three months. The fact you're Canadian and your mother is Swiss (or whatever) is neither here nor there. SC clearance can typically take up to six months even if you are British!

    Tell your client your SC is not late, and you expect to be cleared in the next couple of months as should be expected for any individual. Tell them they can renew your contract and, if they are concerned, include a one week symmetrical notice clause which they can enact if your clearance should fail.

    Leave a comment:


  • Peoplesoft bloke
    replied
    Originally posted by IanRoberts View Post
    ........ due to the fact my mother is Swiss and I am dual nationality (Canadian, although I've never worked or even lived there) I'm still awaiting my clearance. ....
    As others have said, the delay is probably nothing to do with your circumstances. Mine took about five months in the end simply because the people "doing" it were feckless wasters who couldn't care less. I know this doesn't help you, but trust me, they are this bad with everyone.

    Leave a comment:


  • TykeMerc
    replied
    It all depends on how busy the DVA are, 8-12 weeks for an SC to come through is far from unusual, it can take longer. Since you have a relatively unusual nationality and a Swiss mother it's probably complicated matters and so it will take even longer. From your post it looks like your application has only been in for 7ish weeks.

    Just consider yourself lucky the role doesn't require DV clearance as this spring 9+ months was being quoted as a typical time for it to come through the system.

    Leave a comment:


  • ratewhore
    replied
    This is nothing to do with employment rights. As for discrimination, there's a world of difference between that and ensuring only people of the right nationality have access to nationally sensitive information.

    Go and find a non cleared role if this is not to your liking...

    Leave a comment:


  • The Lone Gunman
    replied
    They seem to have done everything correctly. They are not supposed to advertise with a requirement for SC prior to start. They have taken you on without and are probably putting up with any extra security issues this brings. If they need you to have real access to SC covered work then they may not be willing to keep paying your rate while you are not doing the work they require.

    Talk to them. Find out what the issues are with SC. If you really want to stay and you are sure it will come through you may find a compromise. Possibly offer to work on something else at a lower rate till it comes through (separate contract though).

    Call the Defence Vetting Agency help desk and see if there are any problems. They are pretty helpful.

    Leave a comment:


  • IanRoberts
    started a topic Security Clearance Discrimination

    Security Clearance Discrimination

    Hi ! I wonder if any of you out there can give me an answer on this. I'm coming towards the end of a three month contract. I was taken on without SC Clearance but sent off all the application forms a few days into the contract. I'm now about a month away from the end of my contract and due to the fact my mother is Swiss and I am dual nationality (Canadian, although I've never worked or even lived there) I'm still awaiting my clearance. I've been told they are more than happy with my work and happy to extend my contract another 3 months, however this is dependant on my clearance arriving. I have this in an email. Is this legal ? I realise contractors don't have too many employment rights but I thought you were not allowed to discriminate against someone just because they don't have security clearance ?

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