Yes. The BC Public Service Security Screening Policy has been updated in response to recommendations from B.C.'s Information and Privacy Commissioner to improve government's security screening practices. The policy is updated as needed to reflect the government's commitment to both personal privacy and public trust in public service employees.
This policy applies to new hires or current employees who are changing positions in the BC Public Service (designated as requiring a criminal record check and appointed under the Public Service Act).
Examples of changing positions include:
A criminal record check isn't required for coverage of short-term absences (for example, four to six weeks) provided the employee filling the position has completed a criminal record check.
If the employee has completed a criminal record check and the duties and risk factors of the new position are substantially similar to the previous position, then a new criminal record check isn't required.
If an auxiliary employee with service seniority has previously passed a criminal record check and is being recalled, converted, or hired through competition into exactly the same job, then another criminal record check isn't required. If an auxiliary employee has never had a criminal record check, has lost their service seniority, or is being recalled into a different job, then a criminal record check is required.
Yes. The same policy and procedure exists for both groups of employees.