New GFSC Regulations came into effect on 15th December 2007 and the definition of "Employees" now includes temporary and contract staff. This is quite a significant change, because it means that for the first time temporary and contract workers who may not technically be employees of a financial services business (e.g. Because they are employed and paid by an employment agency), will be employees of the financial services business for the purposes of screening.

The new Regulations (13.1) require financial services businesses to "... maintain appropriate and effective procedures, when hiring employees, for the purposes of ensuring high standards of employee probity and competence." This means that agencies such as ourselves must apply adequate checks / screening procedures before providing financial services businesses with temps / contract staff.

So far as applicants are concerned, the main issue is that anyone hoping to do temporary work in Guernsey is likely to have to produce a current Police Clearance Certificate before they can start work. They will also need to provide references that can be verified, and if they have qualifications (e.g. As an accountant), they will need to be able to evidence this by producing certificates etc.

For more information please contact our Guernsey office on 01481 730500.