Russia: Information on whether government employers contact previous employers or the police for a reference or background check before hiring someone
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS17714.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Information on whether government employers contact previous employers or the police for a reference or background check before hiring someone, 1 July 1994, RUS17714.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac51ac.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a researcher on Russian affairs with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, a background or reference check would be routinely requested by a government employer before hiring a new employee (20 July 1994). The main document required from previous employers would be a charakteristika, which is an assessment of the employee's work performance and his or her relations with colleagues and management (ibid.). As well, a police check would be requested in order to determine whether or not an employee has a criminal record (ibid.).
A December 1993 report refers to the "security clearances" that employees of the successor agency to the Security Ministry must undergo (AP 21 Dec. 1993). According to the RFE/RL researcher, such security checks would be conducted on potential employees at a certain level within all ministries, and on employees beginning at lower levels within ministries involved in security matters (20 July 1994).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
The Associated Press (AP). 21 December 1993. AM Cycle. Deborah Seward. "Yeltsin Dissolves Security Ministry, Creates New Unit." (NEXIS)
Researcher on Russian affairs, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Munich. 20 July 1994. Telephone interview.