Revealing what you earn?

[Deepdee]

Hi, I’m currently applying for jobs. The current online application is quite involved. It asks what my salary is, and to list any further benefits; then asks for previous salary. It says this information may be verified at a later stage, if necessary.

i have a question, can a future employer check with your current work for proof of your current salary?

I currently work for a big corporation, and they didn’t ask me for my previous salary, so I wonder how it all works…

I did once read (on here, hah) that sensible pple massage their salaries to aim for a better future salary, and how future employers don’t/can’t check this info. I now think this would be a very bad ideas if employers do in fact share this information, and/or your claims CAN be checked/verified! But can it really be… and if they verify with the candidate, then is it normal to be asked for proof of our salaries.?

Future potential employer is also pretty big, and absolutely legit btw!

Sorry, that’s a really long and boring message! 😄

Basically, can future employers really “verify” your current earnings?

Unless they are willing to reveal what they plan to pay, I wouldn't reveal what I'm currently being paid.

@mdinbc they are willing. There’s a pay range stated, plus they indicate the potential to progress to. All very transparently laid out…

I mean, I think it's pretty cheeky of them to say it'll be verified! They shouldn't be asking either.

In theory no, they can't. In practise, they can join the dots when they see your P45 or whatever when you start.

I'd just input 0 to be honest, and then in any nearby comment box add I'm happy to negotiate the salary I'd accept for this job should we proceed to interview.

Yes they can check as part of the reference process. There's nothing stating that employers can't share this info in references and they often do.

Is it NHS?
They have set pay scales and you can't go in high up a pay scale if you've never been on that scale before.

New employers can see from your P45. I guess some places may also ask for current salary in a reference.
If you don't want to disclose this stage I think it's fine to say something like the rules of your current employer don't allow you to divulge this

It's fine to say that, but they can still ask as part of a reference and your current employer can share it.

So you should either not give the info, or be honest. Don't lie.

I left this question blank when I was applying. Or possibly put £0.00 , I can't fully remember. But didn't want to disclose because I was doubling my salery. Not only did I get the job, I negotiated to top if the scale. I would not have got that if they knew my current salary.

Key thing was - I didn't lie. Not disclosing is different to lying.

I don’t see why you can’t choose to not answer the question but would say it’s a really bad idea to lie or ‘massage’ your salary. Someone in my previous workplace did that - new employer found out and revoked the job offer. They had already resigned from existing job so were left without any job.