Sorry I have confused the hell out of all of you now.  The DPA exemption I referred to only applies to the Data Controller providing the reference and not the recipient organisation.  Therefore, as a recipient organisation and  ICO recommendations what have others done, have you released or withheld and if you have withheld under what in the DPA did you withhold under?

 

Sorry for not making myself clear the first time around.

 

        

 

Thank you to Peter for providing that for me.  Now I have another question for the list – the DPA clearly provides an exemption for the supply of references to a data subject.  However, the ICO recommendation is as follows:-

 

In most circumstances, you should provide the information in a reference, or at

least a substantial part of it, to the person it is about if they ask for it. Even if the

referee refuses consent, this will not necessarily justify withholding the

information, particularly where this has had a significant impact on the

individual, such as preventing them from taking up a provisional job offer.

However, there may be circumstances where it would not be appropriate for you

to release a reference, such as where there is a realistic threat of violence or

intimidation by the individual towards the referee.

 

You should consider whether it is possible to conceal the identity of the referee,

although often an individual will have a good idea who has written the reference.

If it is not reasonable in all of the circumstances to provide the information

without the referee’s consent, you should consider whether you can respond

helpfully anyway (for example, by providing a summary of the content of the

reference). This may protect the identity of the referee, while providing the

individual with an overview of what the reference says about them.

 

Is there a general consensus out there of withholding under the DPA exemption or disclosing in accordance with the ICO recommendation?

 

        

 

Hi Trish,

 

Schedule 7 paragraph 1 covers confidential references given by the data controller.

 

Regards,

 

Hi

 

I know, because I have seen it, that this is specifically mentioned in the DPA but I cannot for the life of me find it – always the way when you need the information immediately.

 

I would be really grateful if anyone out there has this to their fingertips and can point me to where it is in the Act.

 

Many thanks

Regards

trish

Trish Bailey Msc

Information Governance

Telford & Wrekin Council

2a Darby House, Lawn Central

Telford, TF3 4LB

www.telford.gov.uk

 

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