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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:
Gwenhwyfar · 24/05/2021 23:27

@newroundhere

Looking you up personally on Facebook would be nosy. Looking you up on LinkedIn or Companies House is good practice and shows preparation and professionalism. I wish more of the candidates I'd interviewed had done even some cursory research about my company beforehand.
We're always told to be careful (i.e. not have a totally open profile) because employers might look us up on FB, but the other way around is nosy in your opinion?
LadyWithLapdog · 24/05/2021 23:36

For extra nosiness you can check your GP’s salary on the surgery website. You can do FA with that info, but it’s there 😀

I had an interview a few weeks ago and I was asked how I’d researched the company. I said about review sites eg Glassdoor. I wish I’d thought of company house too. I did get the job.

MrsBobDylan · 24/05/2021 23:36

Do you really have anything to do with the operational side of the company? You sound like someone who's on the books cos you'
married the boss.

Dasher789 · 24/05/2021 23:36

I have always checked. Agree with pp, I think it shows they are sensible and also keen. The company I work for now sends round the annual accounts on the day they are published and the MD gives a talk to the whole company on how the years gone and how things have affected the figures.

Goldieloxx · 24/05/2021 23:37

You sound dodgy, wouldn't work for any body that wanted to hide their salary, probably means what you are paying your employees is unfair

lobsteroll · 24/05/2021 23:46

He sounds sensible and probably didn't think j it was something to "admit" because it isn't. Why would he be ashamed to mention it?

And why do you hate the fact that people can see your salaries? Do you think you récompensate your staff generously? If so, then you have nothing to be worrying about.

stevalnamechanger · 24/05/2021 23:52

It's called due diligence. I'd be pleased he was so prepared and hire him .

EMIS · 24/05/2021 23:55

OP, I did the same sort of thing when interviewing for a job that I really wanted, a "man's world" job too. This was firm qr a large well known multi-national company and I thoight that one of the questions would be "what do you know about the company" so I researched a lot, including financial statements . That question was asked and I gave them plenty of information they didn't know, and got the job, staying there until I retired

Golightly133 · 24/05/2021 23:58

Did you ask for references? I would say this is exactly the same checking the integrity of the company x

Blossomtoes · 25/05/2021 00:00

I’m gobsmacked that 56 people think OP’s being reasonable.

subbysammiexoxo · 25/05/2021 00:00

YABU shows he's genuinely interested and looking long term

SD1978 · 25/05/2021 00:03

So he researched the company that he is interviewing for- and you're shocked? Why would you not? If I was going for an interview I'd want to know if the company I was applying for was doing well or if I was suddenly likely to be unemployed shortly after accepting a job offer.

Coffeeand · 25/05/2021 00:04

You seem very confused about what accounts are. They are the companies record of it’s financial standing, not yours. You seem to be taking this personally. If the revenue of your company is recorded you must be obliged to file full accounts rather than abbreviated ones.

Anyway, I can’t be bothered to RTFT but come on! Why wouldn’t you? As others have said this is public information. Doesn’t matter if you agree or not. It’s not snooping, is it?
If I was interviewing someone for a job and they hadn’t looked at the accounts of my company I wouldn’t even consider hiring them. It’s the most basic level of due diligence.
Why should someone come and work for you if the business if loss making, or you’re taking all the profits as dividends each year? This person has a mortgage to pay probably, and basically wants to make sure they will be able to continue to do that.

So obviously, your husband is being sensible and you aren’t.

Moelwynbach · 25/05/2021 00:09

I use Companies House often to ensure thatvthe people I am doing my private work for are affloat enough to pay me. When i e given people the benefit of the doubt ive lost thousands.

TidyOmlette · 25/05/2021 00:33

Yes I would be interested in him, he sounds like he thinks ahead and makes very smart decisions plus he’s open and honest!

In this current climate accepting a job with a company that isn’t healthy usually doesn’t end well.

VioletBlanche · 25/05/2021 00:35

YABVU what? He is allowed to find out information about a potential company he'd be working for!

earthyfire · 25/05/2021 00:40

Everyone looks on companies house...don't they? I know I do.

NewPanDrawer · 25/05/2021 00:49

Bonkers!

chuntersalot · 25/05/2021 00:54

I assume that at no point in the recruitment process you/ your DH asked any candidate about their current salary... because private information?

Topseyt · 25/05/2021 00:57

I think OP is long gone! She was seeking validation, which wasn't forthcoming.

She wanted to hear that people should not access publicly available information about her company for some bizarre reason and has rightly had her arse handed to her on a plate with very few dissenters.

CrumpetyTea · 25/05/2021 01:11

I think its a really good/sensible thing to do- very proactive- so i would expect him to admit it- its to his credit!
why do you think Financial Statements shouldn't be public? what are you hiding?

CellyBee · 25/05/2021 01:31

Of COURSE he has fully checked your company out!!!

Bythemillpond · 25/05/2021 01:33

Isn’t it standard if you are going to work for someone and are looking at a job at a certain level that you do your research on the company.

I find it strange that you think it is strange that someone did this.

If you don’t want people seeing your salary then don’t go into business. It is public record that everyone can look up.

RainingZen · 25/05/2021 01:37

You're an idiot. Any sensible person checks up on the company they are going to work for on Companies House beta site, looks up the director, Googles the company name, googles the directors name. I absolutely want to know what is going on in the finances of the business I work for. And yes, would happily raise at an interview if I was worried about something. He isnt signing himself into bondage, he has a right to know what he is getting himself into and whether his future employer seems successful or not.

Shelddd · 25/05/2021 01:56

YABU and I was very happy to see 98% of people agree with me.

:)