asked to provide documents before interview… is this normal?

Arthur Rimbaud

Recently I got called to interview with a company I am not familiar with, and have been asked to bring along a wide catalogue of what I would consider sensitive documents.

These include proof of bank account and all associated details of the accounts, my passport, and two IDs, and PPS number.

Frankly I am uncomfortable providing all these documents to what could be a dodgy company. Do I have any right to say 'No' and would the company be within its rights to refuse to interview me as a result ?

I don't want to miss a job opportunity, but neither do I want to risk my personal data in this way.

Jim2007

Well what type of job is it to start with? Then perhaps someone can tell you what is normal in that industry.

Passport is now becoming standard, because firms are required to ensure that the person they are making the offer to is in fact entitled to work in the EU/EEA. And employers are obliged to give them first preference. So nothing special about that requirement.

rwg

Bank accounts - no chance, if I'm not mistaken you dont have to provide pps number until hired

passport is just used to confirm you can work in country - others, tell them to get lost

smcgiff

Arthur Rimbaud wrote: »

Recently I got called to interview with a company I am not familiar with, and have been asked to bring along a wide catalogue of what I would consider sensitive documents.

These include proof of bank account and all associated details of the accounts, my passport, and two IDs, and PPS number.

Frankly I am uncomfortable providing all these documents to what could be a dodgy company. Do I have any right to say 'No' and would the company be within its rights to refuse to interview me as a result ?

I don't want to miss a job opportunity, but neither do I want to risk my personal data in this way.

Unfortunately they can ask you to do handstands as part of the interview process. It's up to you to decide if you wish to participate.

If you bring documents don't let them take copies or out of your sight until you're happy to accept a job offer.

Plates

rwg wrote: »

Bank accounts - no chance, if I'm not mistaken you dont have to provide pps number until hired

passport is just used to confirm you can work in country - others, tell them to get lost

Great way to get off on the right foot with a potential new employer. What's the harm in bringing them? It's a sign that they're ready to hire straight away once you impress in the interview.

the_syco

Arthur Rimbaud wrote: »

I don't want to miss a job opportunity, but neither do I want to risk my personal data in this way.

Ask why do they need all the info, and judge them on their answer. Passport is sometimes asked for to ensure you don't need a visa, but the rest... very dodgy.

srsly78

Bank account is none of their business, just say you don't have one.

rwg

Plates wrote: »

Great way to get off on the right foot with a potential new employer. What's the harm in bringing them? It's a sign that they're ready to hire straight away once you impress in the interview.

You can still get hired without a bank account and a pps number at hand

Arthur Rimbaud

Plates wrote: »

Great way to get off on the right foot with a potential new employer. What's the harm in bringing them?

Because this company has no website and I've never heard of them before, and I am not comfortable sharing my PPS, "proof of bank account", sort code, ac number and 2 photo IDs with them.

smcgiff wrote: »

Unfortunately they can ask you to do handstands as part of the interview process. It's up to you to decide if you wish to participate.

If you bring documents don't let them take copies or out of your sight until you're happy to accept a job offer.

They are asking for copies, and they want sight of the originals.

AFAIK it would be illegal for the company to insist on certain data, e.g. race or ethnicity, so I'm just wondering if there are also rules about what personal data they can require applicants to provide? In other words, are there no rules about excluding applicants who may have genuine personal data concerns?

Frank Lee Midere

It just looks like they hire on the day. You need a bank a/c number, probably not the statements, for payments.

My sane advice is go with the documents, but don't show them unless you are hired.

Arthur Rimbaud

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

You need a bank a/c number, probably not the statements, for payments.

The email stipulates that they require proof of bank account, which should bear the sort code, a/c number, and current address of the applicant.

I'm not willing to give that, and the email says that applicants without all the listed documents will not be considered. I just am curious about whether that is a valid reason to exclude an applicant.

circular flexing

Jim2007 wrote: »

Passport is now becoming standard, because firms are required to ensure that the person they are making the offer to is in fact entitled to work in the EU/EEA. And employers are obliged to give them first preference. So nothing special about that requirement.

When I last changed jobs (last year), evidence of entitlement to work in the EU/EEA wasn't required until my first day. It was not required as part of the interview process.

Plates

They can exclude you for any number of reasons. If you think they're dodgy then why are you going for an interview? Any chance you could share the company name in case anyone here has heard of them?

Plates

rwg wrote: »

You can still get hired without a bank account and a pps number at hand

Agreed, but you're highly unlikely to get hired if you tell them to get lost.

Tzardine

I have done a lot of recruitment for different companies I have worked for.Passport / PPS / Proof of address is all pretty normal. As is a GNIB card where appropriate.

Bank account is a new one for me. My advice is to go to your local branch and ask them to give you something on headed paper saying that Joe Bloggs, Address , DOB has a current bank account with the branch. No need to give account number on it.

I got them to do something similar for a letting agency recently

If they job offer you then of course you can give them the account / sort codes.

I suspect that they are a UK company, am I wrong ?

smcgiff

If you PM me the name of the company I'll do a check on them.

Frank Lee Midere

Arthur Rimbaud wrote: »

The email stipulates that they require proof of bank account, which should bear the sort code, a/c number, and current address of the applicant.

I'm not willing to give that, and the email says that applicants without all the listed documents will not be considered. I just am curious about whether that is a valid reason to exclude an applicant.

You have to give that to get hired. I did. It's unusual at the interview stage so just tell them they will get it on being hired or never.

Jim2007

circular flexing wrote: »

When I last changed jobs (last year), evidence of entitlement to work in the EU/EEA wasn't required until my first day. It was not required as part of the interview process.

Yes but most companies are not going to waste their time going through a whole recruitment process only to discover at the end of it you can't actually take on the job...

Tzardine

rwg wrote: »

Ok, get lost is a bit strong, tell them its fcukin illegal

Any candidate who goes for an interview and questions the interviewer on something like this has no chance in hell of getting a job.

An employer will see them as a hassle and somebody who will not do what they are asked.

Not that I am saying what they are asking for is not unusual. Simple fact is, if you are uncomfortable with anything you are being asked, dont waste your time or theirs and forget the interview.

Arthur Rimbaud

Plates wrote: »

They can exclude you for any number of reasons.

I know; my question is a technical question as regards whether it is lawful to automatically exclude applicants who do not provide said documents prior to interview.

Surely it cannot be the case that prospective employees may be automatically excluded from interview stage for refusing to provide any data, no matter how flimsily irrelevant, which a prospective employer may seek? I find it hard to believe that prospective employers enjoy a carte blanche in terms of requesting all sorts of private information on candidates, prior to even accepting a candidate for interview.

If you think they're dodgy then why are you going for an interview?

I said 'could be' dodgy. I am interviewing with them because I would like to have a job.

Strituck wrote: »

I suspect that they are a UK company, am I wrong ?

I think they are. There is a company with the same name operating in the UK, and the individual who contacted me has a UK mobile number. However, I have not verified that the company is the same company.

smcgiff wrote: »

If you PM me the name of the company I'll do a check on them.

I've already checked up on them, there is a company registered in the UK in their name, with a perfectly regular set of accounts and which appears entirely credible. However, they have no website, and I haven't yet verified that they are the same person.

Tzardine

Is it a security related position ?

Arthur Rimbaud

Strituck wrote: »

Is it a security related position ?

No, it's a very ordinary part time job of an administrative nature.

Tzardine

Arthur Rimbaud wrote: »

No, it's a very ordinary part time job of an administrative nature.

No worries.

UK based or owned companies are very strict on verification of identity. The fines in the UK for employing illegal workers or breaching work condition of a visa are massive so they are very particular.They are extremely careful when it comes to interviewing and it is normal for them to ask for the original documents at interview.

I ran the Irish operations of a UK based security company and it was even required that at interview the original documents were UV scanned and to sign our name to each copy to say we UV scanned them and saw originals. Its basically about the company showing that they did everything they could to ensure you were who you said you were and had a right to work.

I suspect that everything is in order but if you are unsure then go with your instincts.

Mrs OBumble

Arthur Rimbaud wrote: »

I know; my question is a technical question as regards whether it is lawful to automatically exclude applicants who do not provide said documents prior to interview.

Surely it cannot be the case that prospective employees may be automatically excluded from interview stage for refusing to provide any data, no matter how flimsily irrelevant, which a prospective employer may seek? I find it hard to believe that prospective employers enjoy a carte blanche in terms of requesting all sorts of private information on candidates, prior to even accepting a candidate for interview.

One one level, it is fine to discriminate on the basis of anything except the Big Nine (age, sex, race, religion, etc ... named in the law).

So it's fine to discriminate on the basis of your height, weight, eye colour, having a bank account, looking ugly, being short, going to the wrong university, having small breasts, living in the wrong area etc - so long as that factor is not a proxy for one of The Big Nine.

Now there may be some features of employment law which say that your selection criteria have to be proportionate. But a legal challenge along those lines could be a lot harder.

And really (recent immigrants excluded) there's no excuse for not having a bank account.

srsly78

What if were a former minister of finance? Is it ok not to have a bank account then?

Mrs OBumble

srsly78 wrote: »

What if were a former minister of finance? Is it ok not to have a bank account then?

It's not OK to tell lies. IMHO