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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be gobsmacked that an interviewee openly told dh that he had looked at our accounts…

989 replies

ChampagneWorries · 24/05/2021 18:40

On companies house?

Dh did an interview today via zoom and the interviewee openly told him that they had looked at our company accounts on companies house to see if we were a healthy company!

Our dividends are on there and I'm really shocked that he basically admitted to being so nosey.

I know they are public information (which i disagree with) but they do show the company income, how much cash was in the bank and our salary etc.

Dh wants to offer him the job as he had some good qualities, but this has really put me off him.

I know people do look at peoples companies on the companies house, but you don't bloody tell them surely?!

Would you still offer him the job?

OP posts:
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 24/05/2021 20:14

I think that's a really wise move actually.

No idea why people are so defensive about their public accounts being viewed. I'm a nosey bastard and always look at the accounts of businesses/people I know Grin

Mummytemping · 24/05/2021 20:14

I do this for every job. I think you’re being unreasonable. He was probably trying to get a feel for the company and be keen.

FabulouslyFab · 24/05/2021 20:15

@PotteringAlong

It would make me want to employ him more, but your response would make me want to work for you less.
Exactly this!!
partyatthepalace · 24/05/2021 20:15

I’d always check the financial status of a company. And given it’s the sensible thing to do, I don’t see an issue with the fact he said he had.

You are being nuts.

TheUndoingProject · 24/05/2021 20:16

You realise all of your friends will have had a look too OP Grin

mylovelydd · 24/05/2021 20:16

Presumably the posters saying YABU and it's normal to tell you he looked up your financial information on Companies House don't actually feature on Companies House themselves Hmm Presumably they also like their home address being public knowledge and also tell people what they earn too...yeah thought not.

YANU at all Op. It's weird. I even had a potential employee look up on Rightmove our house and they commented that some friend used to live on our road...It might be one thing to look at the financial health of a company pre interview or supplying them but to tell a person to their face that they don't even know, that they know where they live and how much they earn is not normal.

Rhiannon13 · 24/05/2021 20:16

Why on earth would you not want to employ someone who shows initiative and is honest and open? I think you might find it more likely he'll look elsewhere due to your reaction OP!

Mintjulia · 24/05/2021 20:16

YABVVU. I always check out potential employers on Companies House.

If I am going to risk my livelihood and my home, working for a company, I need to know about their finances. If I am considering working for a very small company (less than 30 people) I also run a D&B check and look at their investors.

I would expect anyone worth their salt to conduct the same due diligence. Why wouldn't you?

GreyhoundG1rl · 24/05/2021 20:18

@mylovelydd

Presumably the posters saying YABU and it's normal to tell you he looked up your financial information on Companies House don't actually feature on Companies House themselves Hmm Presumably they also like their home address being public knowledge and also tell people what they earn too...yeah thought not.

YANU at all Op. It's weird. I even had a potential employee look up on Rightmove our house and they commented that some friend used to live on our road...It might be one thing to look at the financial health of a company pre interview or supplying them but to tell a person to their face that they don't even know, that they know where they live and how much they earn is not normal.

I don't think you quite understand why anybody "features on Companies House". Awkward 😬
daisychain01 · 24/05/2021 20:18

I hate people knowing our salary and how much is in the business bank etc.

I would never say that to an interviewer.

You sound very naive about commercial reality and publicly available information, OP.

Foxhasbigsocks · 24/05/2021 20:19

Dp amd I do this every time we go to interview. Normal!

Chewbecca · 24/05/2021 20:19

I’m with everyone else, the candidate did their homework. YABVU.

20viona · 24/05/2021 20:20

I think YABU. I'd also want to know if the company I was applying for had good profit!

Stakhanovite · 24/05/2021 20:20

If he was applying to a listed company the interviewer would expect him to have done his homework, familiarised himself with the company stats etc. So why not a private company? YABVU.

Onairjunkie · 24/05/2021 20:20

How involved are you in running this business, OP? You don’t seem to understand much about how and why things are the way they are 😂 so naive. So weird.

Nataliafalka · 24/05/2021 20:20

@mylovelydd I totally disagree with you. I would be extremely disappointed if someone hadn’t looked up my company. If I’m going to interview someone for my company I would want to make sure they knew exactly what they are getting into. It’s not even a teeny bit weird.

OP hasn’t said the level the person is applying for. If it’s a relatively senior role I WOULDNT employ someone who didn’t suggest they had looked at the accounts. It would show a lack of interest and initiative and suggest a lack of commercial awareness

feistymumma · 24/05/2021 20:21

@Westfacing

I'm gobsmacked that you're gobsmacked!

He showed initiative and there was no reason for him not to mention it - he mistakenly thought you'd be impressed with his thoroughness.

Was just about to type this
chillychicken · 24/05/2021 20:21

@mylovelydd

Presumably the posters saying YABU and it's normal to tell you he looked up your financial information on Companies House don't actually feature on Companies House themselves Hmm Presumably they also like their home address being public knowledge and also tell people what they earn too...yeah thought not.

YANU at all Op. It's weird. I even had a potential employee look up on Rightmove our house and they commented that some friend used to live on our road...It might be one thing to look at the financial health of a company pre interview or supplying them but to tell a person to their face that they don't even know, that they know where they live and how much they earn is not normal.

You know your home address doesn’t have to be on there, right? You know you can nominate an office, such as your accountants? That’s for registered office and directors address by the way, there has been no requirement to have your home address listed for years.

I run a company, I fully expect anyone who is looking for a role within my company to check companies house. I expect my friends have looked too. It doesn’t bother me at all, it’s public info and I knew that when I started the company. If you have a problem with that sort of info being in the public domain then don’t start a limited company 🤷‍♀️

daisychain01 · 24/05/2021 20:21

@mylovelydd your example of someone checking your property on RightMove is completely irrelevant to what we're discussing here, which is the financial health of a company the candidate is potentially investing their career in.

That's a completely different proposition to working out how much their house is worth.

Mummyoflittledragon · 24/05/2021 20:22

ChampagneWorries
Apt name.
You’re being vu. People are advised to do this as part of interview prep. You can glean information on a company. It’s hardly a secret.

Nataliafalka · 24/05/2021 20:22

@Rhiannon13 totally agree.

flowery · 24/05/2021 20:22

@mylovelydd

Presumably the posters saying YABU and it's normal to tell you he looked up your financial information on Companies House don't actually feature on Companies House themselves Hmm Presumably they also like their home address being public knowledge and also tell people what they earn too...yeah thought not.

YANU at all Op. It's weird. I even had a potential employee look up on Rightmove our house and they commented that some friend used to live on our road...It might be one thing to look at the financial health of a company pre interview or supplying them but to tell a person to their face that they don't even know, that they know where they live and how much they earn is not normal.

I own two businesses, and therefore “feature” on Companies House. I was recruiting an Operations Manager recently and one interviewee mentioned having looked up the company. Quite right too! I was not surprised and it was entirely appropriate.
feistymumma · 24/05/2021 20:23

@ChampagneWorries

Its the fact he’s told dh that he had looked at them.

Fine to look for your own security but i think it was off to admit it.

I would of thought he would of said that he had looked at our website, reviews etc not bloody financial information!

I hate people knowing our salary and how much is in the business bank etc.

I would never say that to an interviewer.

You are just weird. I definitely wouldn't want to work for you. Why should he not admit to having a look at public information about you?
WeAreTheHeroes · 24/05/2021 20:23

@mylovelydd - company directors can withhold their home addresses from the public part of the register with Companies House. More fool them if they don't. Also, dates of birth are never shown in full.

bringbacksideburns · 24/05/2021 20:23

You are being ridiculous.
He's researched the company and done his Homework and wants to know how secure the job is in a time of financial insecurity.

You sound a bit naive.