PRIVACY POLICY

1. Introduction

L Bennetts & Son Ltd, also known as Bennetts Car Parts (“Bennetts Car Parts”, “we”, “our”, or “the organisation”), is committed to protecting the privacy of the information you provide to us. We ensure that your personal data is handled securely and used only for the purposes outlined in this notice. Our aim is to provide a safe and secure experience for all users.

We comply with our obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). We also recognise the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of your CV and any other personal information you share with us.

As part of our recruitment activities, we collect and process personal data relating to job applicants through our recruitment systems. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use this data and to fulfilling our data protection responsibilities.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process a range of personal data about you, including:

• Your name, address, and contact details (such as email address and telephone number)
• Details of your qualifications, skills, experience, and employment history
• Information about your current salary and benefits
• Information about any disability requiring reasonable adjustments during recruitment
• Information confirming your right to work in the UK

This information may be collected in various ways, including through application forms, CVs, identity documents (such as passports), interviews, and other assessment methods.

3. Information from Other Sources

We may also obtain personal data from third parties, such as references from previous employers or criminal record checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We will only request such information after a job offer has been made and will inform you before doing so.

4. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data to take steps at your request before entering into a contract and, where applicable, to enter into a contract with you.

Our lawful basis for processing is primarily our legitimate interest in recruiting suitable staff. This includes:

• Managing the recruitment process
• Assessing and verifying your suitability for a role
• Confirming your right to work in the UK
• Making hiring decisions

We may also process your data to comply with legal obligations or to respond to and defend against legal claims.

In some cases, we process special category data (such as information about ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation) for equal opportunities monitoring. This data is used solely for statistical purposes and does not influence hiring decisions.

We may also collect information about disabilities to ensure appropriate adjustments during the recruitment process.

For certain roles, we may process information relating to criminal convictions where this is necessary and legally permitted.

Your data will only be used for the recruitment process for which you applied. If your application is unsuccessful, we may retain your data for future opportunities, but only with your consent, which you may withdraw at any time.

5. Access to Your Data

Your personal data may be shared internally for recruitment purposes, including:

• HR and recruitment staff
• Interviewers and hiring managers
• IT personnel where access is necessary

We do not share your data with third parties unless your application is successful. In such cases, we may share your data with:

• Former employers (for references)
• Background check providers

6. Cookies

When you visit our website, we may collect information about your browsing activity using cookies. These help us improve website performance and provide a more personalised experience.

Cookies are used to analyse trends, administer the website, track user movement, and gather demographic data. Further details are available in our Cookie Policy.

7. Diversity Monitoring

We may collect diversity-related information, such as data on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, in line with our diversity and inclusion commitments and applicable laws.

This information is used for monitoring and statistical purposes only and does not affect recruitment decisions. Where collected based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

8. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.

Access to your data is restricted to employees who require it for legitimate business purposes and are subject to confidentiality obligations.

We also have procedures in place to manage data breaches and will notify you and relevant authorities where required by law.

9. Data Storage

Your personal data is stored securely within our systems in the UK. Some data may be transferred within the European Economic Area (EEA) and processed by staff operating within the EEA.

Data may be stored in various formats, including:

• Recruitment and interview records
• Applicant Tracking Systems
• HR systems
• Email communications

10. Data Retention

If your application is unsuccessful, we will retain your data for 12 months after the recruitment process ends.

With your consent, we may retain your data for an additional 12 months for future opportunities. We will contact you before extending this period, and if we do not receive a response or you withdraw consent, your data will be securely deleted.

If your application is successful, your data will be transferred to your employee record and retained in accordance with our employee privacy policy.

11. Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access and obtain a copy of your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request deletion or restriction of your data
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Understand how and why your data is used
• Receive your data in a portable format
• Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact: auditor@bennettsmail.uk

We may request proof of identity to protect your data. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. In the UK, this is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): http://ico.org.uk/concerns/ | Tel: +44 303 123 1113

12. Failure to Provide Data

You are not legally required to provide your personal data. However, failure to do so may prevent us from processing your application effectively.

13. Automated Decision-Making

Recruitment decisions are not made solely by automated means.

14. Contact

For any questions or requests regarding this Privacy Notice, please contact:
auditor@bennettsmail.uk