The National Staff Dismissal Register (NSDR), the brainchild of Action Against Business Crime, will contain the details of employees dismissed from retailing jobs.

Retailers will be able to check whether potential recruits have been sacked for stealing, fraud, forgery or other offences damaging to business. Sacked workers will be entered onto the register even if there was not enough evidence to convict them. Employees who resigned before they could face disciplinary action will also be on the list.

The NSDR is causing concern among campaigners who think the register could be open to abuse by vengeful bosses. Records on the register will be kept for five years, and will be made available to view online via a password system.

Employers who sign up to the scheme must ensure they abide by the Data Protection Act. Employees disputing any claims on the register can appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office, according to the Retail Bulletin.