New job wants my passport details, plus my family's!

New job wants my passport details, plus my family's!

Author
Discussion

prand

Original Poster:

5,910 posts

195 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
I am joining a new company and as usual, amongst other things, they have requested a copy of my passport.

Unusually, they are also asking for my wife and children's too. The HR person says this is company policy and gave me no further explanation.

Now I'm not too worried, and will provide it, but just wondering what the purpose of the info is. Anyone know of anything similar?

This is for a very large multinational company (not Tony Soprano) I'm going to be working for, so I am assuming my family will be safe if things go a bit wrong in the office!


Grunt Futtock

334 posts

98 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
prand said:
I am joining a new company and as usual, amongst other things, they have requested a copy of my passport.

Unusually, they are also asking for my wife and children's too. The HR person says this is company policy and gave me no further explanation.

Now I'm not too worried, and will provide it, but just wondering what the purpose of the info is. Anyone know of anything similar?

This is for a very large multinational company (not Tony Soprano) I'm going to be working for, so I am assuming my family will be safe if things go a bit wrong in the office!
Assuming this isn't a role with some sort of security vetting?

prand

Original Poster:

5,910 posts

195 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
No, not at all.

PBDirector

1,049 posts

129 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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There'd have to be some seriously exceptional circumstances to get me to agree to that (assuming it wasn't uk gov vetting).


worsy

5,776 posts

174 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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Proof for medical benefit possibly?

phil y

548 posts

121 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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Not sure what their reasoning is, given what the DPA has to say about data, particularly the bit about relevance

rbgos

71 posts

112 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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"Company policy" my arse - it is absolutely none of their business. They need to know that YOU are legally allowed to work in the country, but your family is irrelevant. I would refuse, on a point of principle, even though I've nothing to hide.

Old Tyke

288 posts

85 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
rbgos said:
"Company policy" my arse - it is absolutely none of their business. They need to know that YOU are legally allowed to work in the country, but your family is irrelevant. I would refuse, on a point of principle, even though I've nothing to hide.
This, this and this ^^^. Tell them to FRO unless they can give you a genuine reason (ie. not the default bullst "company policy" reply) for why they require them. In fact I would want to know why they require a copy of my passport as well as that is none of their business either!

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Old Tyke said:
This, this and this ^^^. Tell them to FRO unless they can give you a genuine reason (ie. not the default bullst "company policy" reply) for why they require them. In fact I would want to know why they require a copy of my passport as well as that is none of their business either!
For the employee - the employer will be obliged by the govt to get proof that you have the right to work in the UK. A passport is one means to confirm you are eligible - a visa or a work permit if you are a non-national.


No idea whether are asking for the wider family though in this case.

Targarama

14,635 posts

282 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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Just tell them that they do not have passports?

Gargamel

14,957 posts

260 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Old Tyke said:
In fact I would want to know why they require a copy of my passport as well as that is none of their business either!
You have to prove you have a right to work in the UK before the company can legally offer you employment.

As to the Family passpor, new one on me, not aware of any employment legislation requiring that. Are you relocating for the role?

Tell them you're a single pringle.

Kermit power

28,634 posts

212 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
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Just tell them that it is company policy at your wife's employer not to allow their employees to give copies of their passports to third parties.

PurpleTurtle

6,940 posts

143 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Targarama said:
Just tell them that they do not have passports?
Yep, this one. "We like Cornwall"

In all seriousness, my Mum (now 75) didn't have a passport until she was over 50 because my folks had three kids bleeding their average income dry so this answer would have been entirely correct for my Dad when I was a nipper.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Old Tyke said:
rbgos said:
"Company policy" my arse - it is absolutely none of their business. They need to know that YOU are legally allowed to work in the country, but your family is irrelevant. I would refuse, on a point of principle, even though I've nothing to hide.
This, this and this ^^^. Tell them to FRO unless they can give you a genuine reason (ie. not the default bullst "company policy" reply) for why they require them. In fact I would want to know why they require a copy of my passport as well as that is none of their business either!
Defo.

I'd be giving them a flat out no unless.

Old Tyke

288 posts

85 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Vaud said:
Old Tyke said:
This, this and this ^^^. Tell them to FRO unless they can give you a genuine reason (ie. not the default bullst "company policy" reply) for why they require them. In fact I would want to know why they require a copy of my passport as well as that is none of their business either!
For the employee - the employer will be obliged by the govt to get proof that you have the right to work in the UK. A passport is one means to confirm you are eligible - a visa or a work permit if you are a non-national.
A photocopy of one's drivers licence fixes that issue, or as you say, a visa or work-permit for non-Brits. No need for passports. I hope the OP stands his ground and says no without a valid reason. Rolling over and accepting it tells the company that their "policy" is acceptable and will expect it from everyone else when the policy is completely out of order.

prand

Original Poster:

5,910 posts

195 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Yes, I am puzzled by this whole thing.

I've sent over my passport details for jobs plenty of times, it covers my nationality, right for residence and work, proof of address etc in one hit so I'm not too worried about that.

My contract provides healthcare just for me, so this is not for that. Next of kin details for pension/life cover doesn't need passport proof I'd imagine. I won't be sending the family stuff over for no good reason.

Perhaps it's the Scandi type family oriented thing of the parent company, but again doesn't make much sense.

I'll keep asking for a proper answer.

prand

Original Poster:

5,910 posts

195 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
Yes, I am puzzled by this whole thing.

I've sent over my passport details for jobs plenty of times, it covers my nationality, right for residence and work, proof of address etc in one hit so I'm not too worried about that for myself.

My new contract provides healthcare just for me, so this is not for family cover. Next of kin details for pension/life cover doesn't need passport proof I'd imagine. I really won't be sending the family stuff over for no good reason.

Perhaps it's some Scandi type family oriented thing of the parent company, but again doesn't make much sense.

I'll keep asking for a proper answer.

Old Tyke

288 posts

85 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
prand said:
Yes, I am puzzled by this whole thing.

I've sent over my passport details for jobs plenty of times, it covers my nationality, right for residence and work, proof of address etc in one hit so I'm not too worried about that.

My contract provides healthcare just for me, so this is not for that. Next of kin details for pension/life cover doesn't need passport proof I'd imagine. I won't be sending the family stuff over for no good reason.

Perhaps it's the Scandi type family oriented thing of the parent company, but again doesn't make much sense.

I'll keep asking for a proper answer.
Do as suggested above - your family members do not possess passports. Always holiday in Scotland, see! That avoids the problem rather than getting into an argument with them over it which is guaranteed to result in the job being offered to someone who is less.. difficult.

OzzyR1

5,694 posts

231 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
How does a passport provide proof of address?

As for your original post, does seem an odd thing to ask for unless the position provides for family healthcare and/or other similar benefits. That said, my OH is covered under my company scheme and I don't recall giving them any kind of official documentation at the time - just filling in a form with her basic details and answering yes/no questions as to previous medical history.

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Thursday 23rd March 2017
quotequote all
OzzyR1 said:
How does a passport provide proof of address?
It doesn't. But a UK passport provides proof of right of domicile and right to work, which is the test?