AIBU to think they shouldn't have thrown my details away!

[Elouera]

In Feb, I started joining a work agency in an area I'm moving to. I had an interview, passed their exams, provided references and they copied my passport etc. I made it clear that I hadn't moved to the area, but would have been shortly. Covid came, so I contacted them in Mar, to say I would still be moving, but it was on hold.

I emailed them today to say I'll be moving soon, and if there was anything else they require before I book shifts. They have, however, none of my details and 'think' they have shredded it all!!! They are one of only a few companies offering my type of work in the area, and that is the only reason I'd even consider starting over again with them.

AIBU to find this unprofessional and try another agency instead? Should I have been in closer contact since Mar?

I guess it depends why they shredded your details. It may be a slightly over the top interpretation of GDPR. They could well have taken this:

"As per the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), any personal data must not be kept any longer than it is necessary for the purpose for which the personal data is processed."

As meaning, this person isn't coming to work for us so we shouldn't keep their details. Seems overzealous to me and not really in the spirit of GDPR but mistakes happen.

I wouldn't find it unprofessional, just annoying.

You applied in February, you've never worked for them and its nearly August. GDPR rules are you don't keep personal info unless its necessary, so I wouldn't call them unprofessional.

I would think they were being extremely professional and assumed you had no interest in working for them. They probably get a lot of people starting the sign up and then disappearing because they get a permanent job.
Covid probably means they have laid off their own staff too due to lack of available placements/ work. A lot of left-behind staff are struggling to piece together colleague’s workloads because they disappeared overnight.
It happens. Totally unreasonable to be huffy about in this day and age. Just be grateful that a company exists that still might be able to help you find work. And get them all your info again.

Sorry, just re read my post. I meant to say

"As meaning, this person isn't coming to work for us immediately so we shouldn't keep their details."

If you actually hadn't been going to work for them, ie. if you'd made it clear you'd changed your mind. Then they absolutely should have destroyed your details.

@Thelnebriati

You applied in February, you've never worked for them and its nearly August. GDPR rules are you don't keep personal info unless its necessary, so I wouldn't call them unprofessional.

Absolutely this. They’ve been very professional here.

They can keep this type of data for a maximum of six months so they're following the law.

Thanks everyone. A good point about the data protection and my use of the word unprofessional was incorrect.

I wrongly assumed that due to the pandemic and my mentioning multiple times that I couldnt move there just yet, that they'd keep a note on my file to either check before destroying everything or keep it open slightly longer.