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AIBU?

To provide 3 years worth of bank statements for a job application?

82 replies

JanuaryKat · 03/03/2016 14:44

It's for a part time admin job with the NHS.

I applied through a recruitment agency but because I have been a stay at home mum for over 3 years I have to provide 3 years worth of bank statements.

  1. I don't want to give out that kind of personal info
  2. It would cost me £30 plus yo get copies of the statements

    AIBU?
OP posts:
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JanuaryKat · 03/03/2016 15:12

Ahhh. OK, best to avoid BS

OP posts:
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Balletgirlmum · 03/03/2016 15:12

I know that safeguarding rules for some jobs involving children/vulnerable people mean you have to account for gaps in employment in case you were in prison or something but I fail to see how a bank statement can prove that.

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Gobbolino6 · 03/03/2016 15:13

We had to do this for a job my DH got recently, because he had been a SAHP and they wanted to verify this. It was nerve-wracking as some of the statements weren't pretty, but it went through without a hitch.

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INeedSomeHelp · 03/03/2016 15:16

I meant to say, I think they probably want to check that you're not "hiding" an employer from them that you don't want them to know about because you left under a cloud.
But it's still not foolproof - people often have multiple bank accounts so it doesn't really prove anything if you provide one that doesn't show a salary being paid in.

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FluffyPersian · 03/03/2016 15:16

I wouldn't trust them with my bank details.

If it was for Gov SC / DV clearance or for a Disclosure Scotland check, then you can provide various details and know that there's at least a modicum of security around it all.... What vetting have the Brook Street Agency people had? Where will your '3 years worth of bank statements' be kept? In a locked drawer? On a computer? When was the last time that computer was patched? Who have keys to the drawer where your statements are kept?

Honestly, I'd not provide 3 months worth, let alone 3 years worth to an agency.

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pigsDOfly · 03/03/2016 15:17

Ridiculous, I didn't even need to give that amount of bank information to get a buy to let mortgage.

What the hell can they possibly want it for, and what will it prove anyway?

Terrible invasion of privacy.

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JanuaryKat · 03/03/2016 15:18

Some info on my bank statements is regarding my ex H. Not sure what the legal implications of me sharing his personal financial info would be. Then having to seek the permission from abusive ex H to give said info......

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TattyCat · 03/03/2016 15:21

I simply wouldn't provide any bank statement to an employer/agency. I'd rather go and do a different job than give them that information. I've gone through Govt. security clearance and I'm happy to provide for that - but even that wasn't 3 years worth !!

Very OTT and I'd not be comfortable with what they did with that info either.

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TeddTess · 03/03/2016 15:23

absolutely no way
could be used fraudulently !

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givepeasachance · 03/03/2016 15:23

I have heard this recently from a contract with a corp through an agency.

And the recruitment agency refused to budge on it

Incredible invasion of privacy, unnecessarily too.

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pocketsaviour · 03/03/2016 15:24

I was asked for similar when taking my current job in a financial institution, to cover a period of a career gap.

I was unwilling to provide my bank statements for that period (I thought it was unbelievably nosy) so asked the referencing agency for another solution. They said they would accept a copy of my son's birth certificate. That didn't work for me either as the gap was after he left school! So in the end I provided a signed statement that I hadn't been up to anything naughty or a party to any tax evasion, and that was deemed sufficient.

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ToadsforJustice · 03/03/2016 15:26

I work for the NHS. I've been vetted, had a DBS check and provided proof of ID ie passport. I have never been asked for bank statements. Confused

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TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 03/03/2016 15:26

Are you applying to the Head of the NHS? That's ridiculous.

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gininteacupsandleavesonthelawn · 03/03/2016 15:26

We need to have people pre employment screened. Bank statements are asked for in lieu of references to cover big gaps in employment history. Shows you were financially active (eg not imprisoned in a foreign country) and that your life was being funded by legitimate means. Quite normal in finance tech sector however most people don't have such gaps so would never be asked for it. No idea whether same applies to nhs.

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BigQueenBee · 03/03/2016 15:27

If anyone other than a debt agency or mortgage/loan provider asked for bank statements , it would raise a lot of red flags.
The information on those statements could be " sold" on for profit; very dodgy indeed.
I'd contact ACAS for advice.

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Whathaveilost · 03/03/2016 15:30

theclacks how would it prove whether someone is not working.

My bank statements are in a joint account. The only accounts in my name are my savings and investments. Surely I would need permission from the other person on my account before handing over. What if they refused.

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oldlaundbooth · 03/03/2016 15:32

Total bullshit.

Don't do it.

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lorelei9 · 03/03/2016 15:33

I'm really puzzled that an employer could ask for this

maybe if you are about to work in finance but for NHS admin work (in finance admin? even so...)

I imagine what the agency are doing is covering themselves so that if that was a necessary check with an employer, they can't fail at that particular hurdle.

but I'm mystified as to how a job that doesn't involve handling money could require this. Also, to ask for that as proof that you weren't working.....bizarre. Couldn't they just ask the bank to confirm that no money was being paid in by a company or something? Though I suppose you could have share money going in.

it seems like we are increasingly asked for madder things just to get a job.

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lorelei9 · 03/03/2016 15:33

Also, if you were lying and you had been working, if you have more than 1 current account (I do) you would just provide statements for the one where your salary didn't go!! Confused

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Redroses11 · 03/03/2016 15:36

I've worked through Brook Street before (last year). I know they recruit for government and MOD etc. Might be that they are covering all bases?

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Redroses11 · 03/03/2016 15:38

Though - can't they just run a police reference check? or whatever it is called?

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lorelei9 · 03/03/2016 15:40

Red - it sounds to me that they are looking for proof that the OP wasn't working - presumably in case she was lying and actually worked the whole time but got sacked for...I don't know... Punching someone? Dancing round the office naked with a purple bucket on her head?

It doesn't sound like they're worried about fraud or anything like that.

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merrymouse · 03/03/2016 15:41

gin what would looking at a bank statement show? Many people will have joint accounts with a partner or will have household transactions passing through their partners account. Also if you want to hide something it's pretty common to have more than one bank account.

I can understand why a mortgage company would want to see proof of income and expenditure - but that wouldn't apply to a SAHP without income who wouldn't be able to apply for a mortgage anyway.

It seems like snooping, but pointless snooping that won't really reveal anything relevant.

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Redroses11 · 03/03/2016 15:42

Arguably, it's discrimination against you for being a 'sahm'.

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