Questions from NHS job offer

[BettyBoop1302]

Hi all!

This my first ever thread and I’m hoping I’ve done it correctly I would like to ask for some advice please!

Unfortunately, I’ve been made redundant recently due to Covid-19 (I worked in travel insurance and as you can imagine how that’s going with minimal travel atm...) I had a job interview for a receptionist with the NHS and got a phone call the same day telling me I got the job! I have accepted the job verbally, but have a few questions

HR have contacted me asking to complete some paperwork including ID checks, DBS etc. My question is, in the list of things they’ve requested, they’ve asked to see a copy of my last payslip, which would be from my most recent employer including redundancy pay I received and my salary rate at furlough rate - I’m feeling this is very intrusive and not sure if I need to? Also, I haven’t been told my holiday entitlement days, would this be the best time to call the hiring manager back to ask this?

I would be grateful if someone can shed some light on this and if they’ve had the same recruitment process from an online application. Thank you in advance!!

afraid I can't think why they would need to see previous payslips but congratulations on getting the job!

Might just be for tax reasons. They won’t care about your salary and you’ve already been offered a salary I presume? So they won’t think they can offer you less.

I've never been asked to show a previous pay slip before. But agree with the above, it maybe be for tax code reasons. But you would have thought they'd have asked to see a P45 or something instead? Maybe just ask in a friendly way "I was just wondering why you need to see this?"

Holiday is standard: 27 days plus bank holidays but all given as one allowance in hours (pro rats if part time)

You do need to provide what they have asked for as employment checks else you won’t get a confirmed offer.

Re annual leave (and all the other employment stuff) you can have a look online
www.nhsemployers.org/tchandbook

Are you going into a higher paid role than your previous one? What point of the pay scale have you been offered? It possible they’ll want evidence of your previous salary.

I would ask them what they need it for and would redact the information they don’t need?

@ShallICompareTheeToASummersDay

Are you going into a higher paid role than your previous one? What point of the pay scale have you been offered? It possible they’ll want evidence of your previous salary.

I would ask them what they need it for and would redact the information they don’t need?

That’s not how it works in the NHS. You have to apply to start anywhere other than the bottom.

I wasn't asked for the salary slip but was asked my last salary to determine my pay banding for new job. You will need the P45 as soon as you can give it otherwise you will be on emergency tax code and that is not fun..

I’m a doctor and change jobs regularly in the NHS as part of my training and every time they want to see a previous payslip. Honestly I wouldn’t give it a huge amount of thought and things are far more intrusive like a DBS check!

And yes annual leave for new nhs employees is 27 days plus 8 bank holidays. If it’s a role you’ll need to work BH then you’ll be told it as one number (in hours)!

It'll be stated above.

A lot of NHS staff move between trusts and departments, and a lot of the benefits such as pension, death in service, leave entitlement is based on continuous time in employment.

In addition they have a huge staff turnover, I suspect the request is automated, yanbu to call to clarify. The last p45 should be sufficient if you've never worked in the NHS before.

How odd, I've had many different jobs in the NHS before and currently still work part time in it. I can only assume that this would be a way of checking your address? They most certainly shouldn't need to know your previous salary so I would happily bring them a payslip with my salary/earnings blacked out but all other ID left in.

Feminist10101

I know that’s why I was asking if the OP has been placed higher.

Your payslip will be proof of your NI number, and will also show your tax code. That's why they want it

As others have said, 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays but pro rats so if you start in January you will get 3 months worth of annual leave (6.75 days) to take before April.

Weird about the payslip? I've changed nhs organisations 4 times and never been asked this. But presume it's for NI as others have said.

Finally all staff have to pay for DBS check, it will come out if your first couple of pay c

Proof of your NINo is probably why that's needed.

They are very rigid, if they've asked for particular documents, you must provide them.

You could ring up and ask if your last P60 would do.

Also congratulations and welcome to the brilliant but batshit crazy world of the nhs! Enjoy!

Oh and apply for your blue light discount card when you start x

Some of things you are being asked for might be the usual ID checks, and to ensure you have the right to work in the UK. NHS are more clued up with this than many employers at they have many staff from overseas so usually ask everyone the same questions / for the same paperwork. Your last payslip is about confirming your NI number. You could likely use a benefits/HMRC letter instead if it bothers you. Do you have to attend an ID appointment or are you sending them paperwork. If you have to see someone you could always ask them - but I woukd take the listed paperwork with you otherwise you will likely have to book another appointment which will delay your start.

Thank you so much! And thank you to everyone for your inputs!!

I was thinking the P45 would have made more sense for tax reasons.. and I was actually on a higher salary than what they’re offering now and the hiring manager never asked what my most recent salary was they are offering me starting salary of Band 2. So, my last payslip will show my furlough salary instead of actual rate and I don’t think I can’t negotiate salary at this point!
I don’t enjoy the thought of being unemployed and want contribute to looking after patients (albeit in an office setting..!) so I was prepared to make a pay cut sacrifice.

Thank you for letting me know the holiday entitlements too you’re all amazing!

For me, as well as NINo, Recruitment wanted

Proof of address
Proof of nationality
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK
Proof of any qualifications listed as 'Essential' on the job ad
Proof of any disabilities declared on the application form

Virtually everything, as well as my immunisation record had to be photocopied by HR.

Tedious wasn't the word. It took 3 months from job offer to job start.

Don’t forget you can get 10% off every Morrisons shop as nhs staff. Online as well as in store.

My current role asked for payslips too (I think 3 months), I think a lot of places just do it as a formality to confirm you worked there and feel they’ve done due diligence—doubt anyone actually reads them.

Far worse was my rental—6 months of bank statements too! The idea of someone pouring over my 4am Uber Eats 😂

@Ginfilledcats Thanks haha! I can't wait to join! And that's very handy info, I nearly forgot about the blue light card!

@ChipsCheeseAndBeans Thanks! That'll definitely come in handy!

@Onjnmoeiejducwoapy God, all these checks are getting so vigorous no one will judge you for the Uber eats lol [grins]! We're all guilty of it at some point!

It’s actually however many bank holidays there are. Depending on when Easter falls there can be 7 or 9 bank holidays in a given leave year.