SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC SERVICE STRENGTHENS CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS

All positions in the Saskatchewan public service that are responsible for public money and all positions with the ability to modify information technology systems will now require criminal record checks, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission Pat Atkinson announced today.

"We take seriously the need to protect our clients, employees, and taxpayers' money," Atkinson said. "The Public Service Commission has done a thorough review, which has resulted in a measured and responsible approach to expanding the use of criminal record checks in public service employment."

The new policy covers:

- Positions responsible for the collection, receipt, disbursement or expenditure of public money, including those in senior management;

- Information technology positions with responsibility to modify operating systems;

- Positions that are required to work with third-party service delivery systems, where that third party requires criminal record checks;

- Other positions approved by the PSC for which departments provide rationale; and

- All positions that required a criminal record check in the past, such as Child Protection Workers, or employees in the Corrections system.

Checks will be done before individuals are hired, and renewal is required once every five years. Employees currently occupying positions designated as requiring a criminal record check will be encouraged to provide one on a voluntary basis on the understanding that they must do so on a mandatory basis within five years. As well, employees in positions requiring criminal record checks will be required to inform the employer if they are ever convicted of an offence.

The policy will be implemented immediately, and will apply to all categories of appointments from permanent full-time to student work.

Earlier this year, the Provincial Auditor recommended that the expanded use of criminal record checks was one way to reduce risk.

Criminal record checks do not provide a 100 per cent guarantee that fraudulent behaviour will not occur. However, they are part of a system of checks and balances that will mitigate the risk of fraudulent activity.

The new policy also strikes a balance between respect for the privacy concerns of applicants and employees regarding the collection, access, use and storage of this highly sensitive personal information and the need of the employer to protect the public interest and to explain and defend its hiring decisions.

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For More Information, Contact:

Shelley Banks Public Service Commission Regina Phone: (306) 787-6479