More than 40 major British companies face legal action for allegedly buying secret personal data about thousands of workers they wanted to vet before employing them...[A]n investigation by [the Information Commissioner's Office]...was sparked by fears that many workers were being unfairly "blacklisted". The commissioner alleges that the firms, including Balfour Beatty, Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O'Rourke and Costain, have, for many years, covertly bought details of workers' trade union activities and their conduct at work. Thomas believes that workers have been unfairly denied employment because they have had no chance of challenging any inaccurate information…The commissioner is to prosecute the private detective, Ian Kerr, who is accused of selling the information to companies in the construction industry. [Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited some of the largest companies to respond. Balfour Beatty responded; Costain, Sir Robert McAlpine did not respond]