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?

Our scoring sheet has a section for knowledge of the organisation. Looks like he aced that section. I'd sooner have someone coming in with their eyes open.

Yes, I would! It’s publicly available information, and he showed initiative, good sense and a strong sense of self worth in looking it up. Not to mention he is clearly honest and transparent since he told you. I’d have been impressed with that myself.

I'm amazed that you are apparently a business owner but so offended by public information on companies House. This isn't personal you know.

Is it that you’re paying shit wages and don’t want him to see just how shit they are based on what you’re making? You have some very bizarre ideas and I agree you shouldn’t offer him a job, I’m sure there is much better out there for 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.

i think it was off to admit it. Why?

Most of us won't be working for you EVER then OP!

Shows good judgment to research a potential employer.

Did you google the interviewee?

@moynomore

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

It wasn't. I think it's off that you think it's off. Yabu.

Have to agree.

Kudos to the candidate for doing his homework.

yabu
it's public information
good for him to check before committing

I mean you understand what being a public company is right? It's not like he hacked your bank accounts.

That would be weird. You are reacting as if he did (hack your bank accounts) rather than some basic due diligence.

Have you got something to hide?

I would of thought he would of said
Low blow, perhaps, but you're a company director?

It's definitely you

@SuperMonkeys

I'm amazed that you are apparently a business owner but so offended by public information on companies House. This isn't personal you know.

Me too. I've run 2 limited companies in my life - there are ways to make it less obvious what you're earning for one thing - but if you don't like Companies House maybe you're not cut out for being a director?

@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.

I find this baffling. You’re basically saying ‘I would be more inclined to hire this person if they were sneaky and underhand than if they were open and honest’. Absolutely bizarre!

I'd give him the job! He clearly has insight into how companies work and if they are looking healthy etc.

So, you're looking for an employee that won't demonstrate honesty and initiative? That has no interest in how the company performs? I'd think that was weird.

Wow - I would be really impressed their research skills! I would absolutely hire this person as that's the kind of thoroughness that I would want on my side.

Gobsmacked that you would see this as a negative!

YABVU and really weird. It's like you realise everyone will look as part of their research but apparently they should keep it secret from you!

He did exactly the right thing and I'd have done the same. What don't you understand about public information?

I'd see this as an enormous positive

I think that would be a massive point in his favour. He's interested enough in the job to take the trouble to research it properly, he knows where to look, he knows how to interpret the accounts. In your shoes, I suspect my next question might have been when he can start work with you.

I think you are being really weird about it tbh. It’s public info and makes good sense to check, especially in the current climate.

I think it shows sense.

@Travis1

Is it that you’re paying shit wages and don’t want him to see just how shit they are based on what you’re making? You have some very bizarre ideas and I agree you shouldn’t offer him a job, I’m sure there is much better out there for him.

This is what I think too. Why else would you be bothered that they know what you earn and how much is in the bank?

The rationale he gave is one of the reasons why this information is published in the first place. Totally legitimate and advisable behaviour, for a smaller business it is the only way to validate the health (or otherwise) of the organisation.

Perfectly normal in my industry to delve pretty deep into the partners of a business. CH, industry bodies, land registry, bankruptcy register and CCJ register would all be standard checks that I’d almost expect my candidates to do tbh. Companies house is a standard check anyone should be making tbh- esp given that there’s a free app now for quick checks, also as an interviewer it means I can gauge someone’s business awareness, do they understand a balance sheet, do they have a basic knowledge of how management accounts work.