Providing current salary details

TechnoFreek

hi

I'm thinking of applying for a job and the recruiter has asked me a list of questions, obe of which being "current salary and benefits"

Am I obliged to answer this?

The reason i ask is that compared to the salary range of the new role, my current salary is considerably less. This is not a reflection of experience but due to lack of promotions and pay rises over the last few years as a result of the recession.

I'm afraid that although I am suitable and qualified for the job, my bargaining position may be severly weakened if my current salary is know.

I don't want to lie about it could cost me the job.
What should I do?

mr.interested

You are not obliged to anything. You can always walk away.

Say to him/her that you would prefer not to disclose such information, and if insisted, just provide a range.

Or what if you lie? They will not be able to verify it anyway.

allibastor

your contract details are condifential so the new employer cannot get exact info from your employer.
just say a salery that you fell would justify your new role. most employers will look to it as a bench mark to see what you will expect.

starfish12

the only thing to note is that if you did get the job, your final earning with previous employer are listed on your p45, so they will know what you were earning.

You can apply to the tax office for a confidential p45 that doesnt state your earnings, so you may want to go down that road if successful.

I''ve inflated by 'current' earnings when applying for roles and no comments have ever been made by the new employers, but I do know of companies that deliberately check p45's to catch people out, I'm told its prevalent in the IT industry especially.

Stheno

Companies can't deliberately check P45s they can note the earnings to date and how it affects employees tax allowances, but you can choose for them never to see your previous P45 in relation to a role.

There are numerous reasons why you might have earned more than salary/benefits to explain a difference.

Mr. Loverman

Just lie about your salary.

The accounts people are the ones who look at your P45, and they won't care about your salary.

Even if your manager did somehow look at your P45, she more than likely won't care either. Believe it or not, most managers are not out to screw their team! (I am a manager).

Lux23

I just lie about my previous salary, I haven't been in a paid job since last July so they can't find out either way.