According to the UK’s fraud prevention services (CIFAS), reported cases of applications containing fake information went up by 70 percent in 2013. HR associations are calling on HR managers to more thoroughly check the information provided before recruiting anyone. Fake skills are especially called into question. In this atmosphere of distrust, the Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEED), via a website supported by the government, offers employers the possibility – in return for compensation – of checking the veracity of employees’ degree. The HEED believes that not enough employers check senior workers’ university background, whereas these employees are more likely to exaggerate their CV to compete with younger rivals, who have a lot of degrees. HRDs’ associations are echoing this call for vigilance.
Nearly 2 years after it was created, the Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEED) has received more than 20,000 requests. Backed by the government, this website currently gathers data from 16 universities and, in a few clicks, allows checking the authenticity of a degree received in one of these establishments, in return for at least £10 (€12).
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