Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
DinoHat · 25/05/2021 17:46

I have done this, why would you risk leaving a secure job to join a failing company?

Prinzy · 25/05/2021 17:47

Think this is one of those where the OP needs to try and understand why she is being so Very unreasonable. This is a savvy move from the intervieee and you should be commending him

multivac · 25/05/2021 17:48

What's your actual role in the company, OP?

PrimoPiatti · 25/05/2021 17:48

It's called Due Diligence.

Plunger · 25/05/2021 17:51

He showed common sense in finding out how financially stable the company is before possibly handing in his notice. If the company is financially unstable he could become unemployed. Your husband is right but if the chap knew how you think I'd tell you where to stick your job.

cherish123 · 25/05/2021 17:52

Why would he not? If it's a small business you run, he would want to know if it's likely to be doing well. He's not going to move to a failing company.

OVienna · 25/05/2021 17:52

I've read all of the OPs post so it does sound like she's come round to an understanding of why anyone sensible and sane would undertake as thorough DD as possible before going to work for a private, family held company (I am guessing there aren't other shareholders.)

It scares me slightly for the OP she didn't think someone would do this.

@ChampagneWorries They probably looked at social media and Google as well on the company and anyone from the management team they could find. Do you, as a business owner, do this as well? If not - you should.

OhHarry · 25/05/2021 17:53

He needs to look after his career too, it's a two way thing, why would he want.to join a company in trouble? Hmm Bonkers attitude.

LIZS · 25/05/2021 17:53

Surely checking publicly available information is part of due diligence and interview prep.

thenovice · 25/05/2021 17:53

Future employee is doing due diligence and making sure he is joining a good, solvent company. Furthermore he hasn't done it on the sly, but has been open and honest.

karalou2 · 25/05/2021 17:56

First of all, I meant YABU but as often happens when I'm scrolling, my thumb hits the wrong thing and on here, there's no going back!
I'm not sure why you're so upset about this though. As everyone says, it's publicly accessible information and it would've been more sneaky of him not to have told you. He was honest, good quality. All I can think is that maybe he was young and a bit cocky in the way he said it. If that was the case and your husband does employ him, then that could be a problem. He'll know he's rattled you and there's going to be a bit of a one-upmanship battle going on.... Good luck!

masterblaster · 25/05/2021 17:57

YABVU. This shows the person has initiative and understands how companies work. Don’t take him on please, you sound awful.

millymaid · 25/05/2021 17:57

He was doing his research, not being nosy. Deciding to take a new job is an important decision of course he wants all the information he can get. I don't think anyone could work out my pay or dividends from my company's financial statements, but also who cares? The guy deserves to know if you pay yourselves over the odds or have no cash reserves. Especially these days!

MollyMinniesMum · 25/05/2021 17:58

This is normal practice, the accounts are in the public domain and I’d be more worried about someone who DIDNT look!

Shona52 · 25/05/2021 18:00

Perhaps they have worked for a small family business before and had trouble being paid. They didn't have to let you know they looked at this info and I'm not sure why it's such an issue for you given that the info is public and anyone can look at it. If this is the only reason you don't want them it's not a valid reason.

Twowilldo50 · 25/05/2021 18:00

The loss of privacy by incorporating has given you other benefits, probably most notably tax benefits. The first thing I do when applying for a job is to research the employer.

Leedsfan247 · 25/05/2021 18:03

Excellent research I’d hire them

OVienna · 25/05/2021 18:03

The only caveat I'd give here is if the individual is coming from a competitor and the rest of the interview seemed focused on getting more information out of @ChampagneWorries and her husband or whoever else was interviewing them on the company than giving info back. This sort of thing isn't completely unheard of/ inconceivable and if you're a small business owner without a crack in house legal team (or the perception of one) I can see why you might get a bit paranoid. But - such is life, it's one of the hazards of running a company domiciled in a jurisdiction with (some at least) transparency.

Clarabellgrace · 25/05/2021 18:04

It sounds like many or most of you think it is an advantage for an interviewee to mention they have looked up the financial records of the business. I don't agree. While it is an astute thing to do, it is bordering on "privacy invasion" to proudly admit the fact, in the hope of impressing the interviewer, while being interviewed. Emotional intelligence is lacking here and I think that is important in an employee too.

MidsummerMimi · 25/05/2021 18:04

I wish, I could message this unfortunate interviewee and tell him “Run as fast and as far away from any job offer you make him, otherwise he will end up working for very odd people”
Friend of mine from University, got a summer job, working on a farm for a weird family, he was accused of witchcraft and bringing bad luck, poor guy had a nervous breakdown.!

HandyGirl76 · 25/05/2021 18:05

Definitely a positive in my mind...

SallyB392 · 25/05/2021 18:06

Sounds like a very sensible, interested applicant to me. All this says to me is that this individual took the time to investigate your company, and will therefore work for you because they are really interested.

Would you prefer someone who has no clue or interest in your company and had so little respect that they didn't bother doing any research?

Miranda15110 · 25/05/2021 18:12

It's no different to you checking the candidate out on social media.

TheWernethWife · 25/05/2021 18:13

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

FFS OP, its basic English - would HAVE, not bloody would OF

Pottedpalm · 25/05/2021 18:13

@Clarabellgrace

It sounds like many or most of you think it is an advantage for an interviewee to mention they have looked up the financial records of the business. I don't agree. While it is an astute thing to do, it is bordering on "privacy invasion" to proudly admit the fact, in the hope of impressing the interviewer, while being interviewed. Emotional intelligence is lacking here and I think that is important in an employee too.
How can it be a privacy invasion when it isn’t private information? 98% think the OP is being unreasonable.