Pre-employment checks question
Discussion
Hi all, just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the following situation.
After several years without salaried employment my missus accepted a job offer but is now struggling with some ridiculous sounding pre-employment checks. After passing DBS & right to work checks she was asked for three years worth of HMRC records & volunteered her self-employment tax returns which show a modest income below the threshold for income tax. Prospective employer is now insisting on evidence of three years worth of benefits claims?? She was able to send bank statements showing child benefit payments but these don’t quite cover the entire three years which is apparently “needed”.
Aside from wondering why a candidate chose maybe not to max on benefits entitlement can anyone tell me why an employer would even ask for this after everything else they wanted checked out just fine?
I’m suspicious they simply changed their minds about the position & don’t want to admit it. However HR department does seem to be staffed by robots so before we give up I’m hoping to go back with the right words to fit one of their little boxes.
After several years without salaried employment my missus accepted a job offer but is now struggling with some ridiculous sounding pre-employment checks. After passing DBS & right to work checks she was asked for three years worth of HMRC records & volunteered her self-employment tax returns which show a modest income below the threshold for income tax. Prospective employer is now insisting on evidence of three years worth of benefits claims?? She was able to send bank statements showing child benefit payments but these don’t quite cover the entire three years which is apparently “needed”.
Aside from wondering why a candidate chose maybe not to max on benefits entitlement can anyone tell me why an employer would even ask for this after everything else they wanted checked out just fine?
I’m suspicious they simply changed their minds about the position & don’t want to admit it. However HR department does seem to be staffed by robots so before we give up I’m hoping to go back with the right words to fit one of their little boxes.
andrebar said:
Hi all, just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the following situation.
After several years without salaried employment my missus accepted a job offer but is now struggling with some ridiculous sounding pre-employment checks. After passing DBS & right to work checks she was asked for three years worth of HMRC records & volunteered her self-employment tax returns which show a modest income below the threshold for income tax. Prospective employer is now insisting on evidence of three years worth of benefits claims?? She was able to send bank statements showing child benefit payments but these don’t quite cover the entire three years which is apparently “needed”.
Aside from wondering why a candidate chose maybe not to max on benefits entitlement can anyone tell me why an employer would even ask for this after everything else they wanted checked out just fine?
I’m suspicious they simply changed their minds about the position & don’t want to admit it. However HR department does seem to be staffed by robots so before we give up I’m hoping to go back with the right words to fit one of their little boxes.
Without giving away the name of the employer, could you please indicate which employment sector this is in, because any employer asking me for a copy of my bank statements would be a real red flag, I simply wouldn't comply.After several years without salaried employment my missus accepted a job offer but is now struggling with some ridiculous sounding pre-employment checks. After passing DBS & right to work checks she was asked for three years worth of HMRC records & volunteered her self-employment tax returns which show a modest income below the threshold for income tax. Prospective employer is now insisting on evidence of three years worth of benefits claims?? She was able to send bank statements showing child benefit payments but these don’t quite cover the entire three years which is apparently “needed”.
Aside from wondering why a candidate chose maybe not to max on benefits entitlement can anyone tell me why an employer would even ask for this after everything else they wanted checked out just fine?
I’m suspicious they simply changed their minds about the position & don’t want to admit it. However HR department does seem to be staffed by robots so before we give up I’m hoping to go back with the right words to fit one of their little boxes.
She has passed the DBS checks so that should be enough?
Private sector subcontractor to a public service organisation. It’s an admin role with no involvement in any kind of sensitive information
Yes, DBS checks went through ok & the bank statements were only asked for as a means of proving child benefit status. HR won’t explain, they just keep giving non-answers & saying it’s just an unfortunate box ticking exercise.
Yes, DBS checks went through ok & the bank statements were only asked for as a means of proving child benefit status. HR won’t explain, they just keep giving non-answers & saying it’s just an unfortunate box ticking exercise.
Edited by andrebar on Thursday 4th November 15:25
If a reference isn't available, some companies ask for 2 items of proof, so tax returns and bank statements would do it. Otherwise an HMRC letter that lists employment history is the easiest. Statements are normally used though as they are quick and easy to obtain. We allow figures to be redacted though.
Red9zero said:
If a reference isn't available, some companies ask for 2 items of proof, so tax returns and bank statements would do it. Otherwise an HMRC letter that lists employment history is the easiest. Statements are normally used though as they are quick and easy to obtain. We allow figures to be redacted though.
Hmm this sounds like a possibility, references are probably a bit dated to be of much use. We’ve asked HMRC for that letter but still waiting for it. Thanks for that
Some companies use automated screening tools and they often require a decent chunk of information upfront so they can be sure they are searching the right person, but details of benefits payments and the like sounds strange.
Asking for bank statements is not something I have ever come across. I've worked for military, police, law firms, regulated financial services companies. Been vetted countless times and have never given bank statements, had to fill in financial disclosure forms with details of debt and had credit checks done.
Asking for bank statements is not something I have ever come across. I've worked for military, police, law firms, regulated financial services companies. Been vetted countless times and have never given bank statements, had to fill in financial disclosure forms with details of debt and had credit checks done.
Scabutz said:
Some companies use automated screening tools and they often require a decent chunk of information upfront so they can be sure they are searching the right person, but details of benefits payments and the like sounds strange.
Asking for bank statements is not something I have ever come across. I've worked for military, police, law firms, regulated financial services companies. Been vetted countless times and have never given bank statements, had to fill in financial disclosure forms with details of debt and had credit checks done.
They are increasing used to cover employment gaps. They are not ideal and not a first choice, but they are quick and easy to get whereas HMRC letters etc are rather slow at the moment.Asking for bank statements is not something I have ever come across. I've worked for military, police, law firms, regulated financial services companies. Been vetted countless times and have never given bank statements, had to fill in financial disclosure forms with details of debt and had credit checks done.
Ive jusT had similar, asked for a 5 year DBS to be taken, did that.
Then now ive had to do a NSVS, which wants to know everything more in detail.
One of the questions was on your finances etc is there any info you d like to share to help us with your application.
Erm no.
Spent convictions, they want dates both of mine were over 20 years ago, a driving ban and public order.
I have zero idea on the dates and even the year they happened. So thats exactly what i wrote in the box.
Then now ive had to do a NSVS, which wants to know everything more in detail.
One of the questions was on your finances etc is there any info you d like to share to help us with your application.
Erm no.
Spent convictions, they want dates both of mine were over 20 years ago, a driving ban and public order.
I have zero idea on the dates and even the year they happened. So thats exactly what i wrote in the box.
Red9zero said:
Scabutz said:
Some companies use automated screening tools and they often require a decent chunk of information upfront so they can be sure they are searching the right person, but details of benefits payments and the like sounds strange.
Asking for bank statements is not something I have ever come across. I've worked for military, police, law firms, regulated financial services companies. Been vetted countless times and have never given bank statements, had to fill in financial disclosure forms with details of debt and had credit checks done.
They are increasing used to cover employment gaps. They are not ideal and not a first choice, but they are quick and easy to get whereas HMRC letters etc are rather slow at the moment.Asking for bank statements is not something I have ever come across. I've worked for military, police, law firms, regulated financial services companies. Been vetted countless times and have never given bank statements, had to fill in financial disclosure forms with details of debt and had credit checks done.
Thanks folks, I think Red9zero might have hit the nail on the head here. Missus has near 8 year employment gap & reckons the jobsworthy HR Karen lives in a world where self employment doesn’t exist.
Future (hopefully) boss has just Emailed her offering to intervene tomorrow & I’ll update with an outcome when I can.
Future (hopefully) boss has just Emailed her offering to intervene tomorrow & I’ll update with an outcome when I can.
Red9zero said:
You would need to provide proof of support. If not, no job.
In that case it’s my credit card bills they should be asking for
Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
andrebar said:
In that case it’s my credit card bills they should be asking for
Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
More that you weren't living off ill gotten gains really. Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
Red9zero said:
andrebar said:
In that case it’s my credit card bills they should be asking for
Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
More that you weren't living off ill gotten gains really. Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
bigandclever said:
Red9zero said:
andrebar said:
In that case it’s my credit card bills they should be asking for
Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
More that you weren't living off ill gotten gains really. Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
Red9zero said:
bigandclever said:
Red9zero said:
andrebar said:
In that case it’s my credit card bills they should be asking for
Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
More that you weren't living off ill gotten gains really. Anyways, the manager reckons redacted bank statements plus the tax returns already sent will do the trick. Presumably the point of all this is to verify that an employment ‘gap’ isn’t really a previous job that ended rather badly?
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