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

[ChampagneWorries]

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?

If he'd broken into your house and gone through your personal bank statements I'd understand your outrage but he's used his initiative to accessed publicly available information and been honest with you about it. He really does sound like a good candidate. If you discourage your husband from employing him you'll get the employee you deserve.

Yes I would offer him the job

He has looked at your openly available information t9 understand how your company works.

It’s something I would do, and would expect others to do as part of the background works gathering information about the company

Nothing wrong with that

@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.

So he’s clever enough to look and honest enough to tell you. Two great qualities in an employee.

I’d trust your DH’s instincts on this one OP, he presumably has a better understanding than you of the fact what the candidate did was sensible and also normal practice. The vote shows 98% YABU here. Chalk it up as part and parcel of being in the line of work you are, there’s really nothing wrong with a person looking your company details up, nor with mentioning that they’ve done so to you. Perfectly fine.

It’s sound due diligence, I’d definitely hire them.

As a finance director I would be expected to go into any interview with a full report.

If you don't want the scrutiny of company and the protection of limited liability then go back to being a sole trader.

He sounds like a good hire. You do not sound like a good boss though!

It’s quite normal to check Companies House before and interview, you should be pleased you have a candidate who’s that committed they’ve researched you properly... and at an interview if I’m ever asked what I know about an organisation I will say that I’ve looked at their financials... as well as website etc...

It sounds like you don't really understand the concept of a limited liability company and might benefit from a company law course. The quid pro quo for the protection it offers is the public transparency. This chap did basic research which I would expect of any candidate. He didn't go through your bins!

Good God, you're being unreasonable! I work for a cash-strapped startup, I'd say candidates are well within their rights to enquire about how financially 'healthy' we are.

I always always would. Who would not is more the issue? That does not mean you mention it however. My son has an interview tomorrow and we were looking at the accounts and the parent company accounts. They give the pay of the highest paid person too which was interesting and explain the covid lay offs last year, pay cuts accepted depending on level of staff and all sorts never mind person who controls the company.

It helps you avoid putting your foot in it but I would not recommend people mention it in the interview however.

YABU

This information is not meant to be confidential or secretive.

@Diamondnights

It is what any applicant should do as basic due diligence on the company they may be joining.

Exactly. This is basic stuff.

Not sure why you are so weird about it. Are your company finances OK?

OP you are crazy!

I work in a professional role and in the interviews I’ve been in it’s been expected that I’ve looked at the financial accounts. Most interviewers ask candidates what they know about the company so it’s best to be prepared.

OP you're being hugely unreasonable. Have you never applied for a job before? Candidates are actively told by recruitment agencies to do their research and tell the interviewer they've done it because it shows the candidate has proactively looked at your company and is interested enough to be bothered (look online for advice on how to shine at interviews and it will say the same).

I've carried out a lot of interviews and candidates who have done their research and know about the company are always looked on favourably.

You need to step into the real world.

Honesty and common sense? I’d definitely hire him.

@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 do realise it's not playground chatter. This is highly relevant and also publicly held information.

I'm afraid a lot of people probably know your financial situation.

Literally anyone who knows your business name can look it up.

The candidate sounds honest and smart.

Well, I'm an accountant so of course I would look at the published accounts of a prospective employer.

I've also checked out the accounts of prospective companies that DH (non-accountant) was considering applying to.

It's public information, often contains useful background info on the company and, most importantly, gives insight into the financial stability of the organisation. Why would you even waste time interviewing at a company that looked as though it may be unable to pay its staff or suppliers?!

If you're uncomfortable about the transparency of your pay arrangements, you could set up holding companies or nominees. You know that it's not just prospective employees who can look this up - your neighbours, school run parents, existing employees etc. Why are you so concerned about this one interviewee?

YABU he is a well prepared candidate. It is public information.

I don’t understand your issue against him at all.

If he’s got a good job and salary, he’s not going to give that up for a tin pot company with no money and huge debts. That would be madness. I have always searched on anything. Companies for interviews , neighbours before we moved in etc. Sounds like an asset who will think out the box.

He was doing his homework and trying to find out about the company. All credit to him. YABU

YABU, it's a wise move to make for a potential employee to check out the company. I always Google the company if I'm going for an interview. If it was a smaller company I might do the same via companies house

God, how utterly unreasonable. And batshit. Of course anyone with half a brain would do this and no issue with mentioning it as public information.