SC failure

[andyf]

We've just had our first-ever security clearance failure at the office. Instant dismissal for the guy involved :(

Harsh, but there we go. It was pending for 8 months, and came back today as failed.

[kandy]

Eh?

Do you mean the government vetting for classified/secret etc?

[[NZ]Rubberducky]

Unlucky, but obviously something on his file. Worst this is, surely after 8 months he's settled into the job only to be turfed out just like that. Shame these checks can't seem to be done a lot faster.

[andyf]

Originally posted by kandy
Eh?

Do you mean the government vetting for classified/secret etc?

Yup, working with government material generally entails getting vetted for a certain level of clearance, some higher than others. Some of the people here have a basic level, which this chap may well have been fine with. I don't know all of the failure points but it is a shame, he was a fairly decent bloke and liked his 5-a-side footy at lunchtime (always trying to get me to play).

[Zenith]

And just to pull this into some current media context...

It took 8 months for the checks to be completed. It is a shame that it came back as no/negative/declined/whatever since the guy would probably have settled into his position there. If he had known earlier on (say 8 WEEKS into the job) it wouldn't have so much of a blow to it.

Now if it took 8 months for regular checks for a government position, what about background checks for other sensitive professions such as... ohh, lets say... Teachers. It's all over the media right now about people on either the Sex Offenders register or List99 being in teaching positions. I heard a little thing on the lunchtime news that the Govt officially knows of 10 people currently teaching who maybe shouldn't be. If the background checks could be completed more quickly and more thoroughly, unsuitable people wouldn't be put into teaching posts that easily.

Sounds like the background checks dept (CRB?) needs more people to do the checks. More people = more money. Therein lies the problem. Govt is so bust trying to save £'s from various places that they don't want to spend another penny unless it can give a demonstrable improvement.

So if the Govt isn't willing to spend the £'s, unsuitable people will get into positions they shouldn't be.
Sounds like a pretty simple equation to me.