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?

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

Are you sure you're really fit to run a company if you can't cope with basic requirements like this?

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!

Given the OP is worried about others seeing the accounts and their dividends, sneaky and underhand may be just what they're looking for

I would discount anybody who hadn’t looked at the finances! It’s a company, not your personal account.

It’s information in the public domain. I’m assuming you are a small company. Times are uncertain so of course any sensible person is going to ‘health check’ a company before taking a job with them. I wouldn’t necessarily admit to it but that’s a personal choice.

To admit it in the interview? No I wouldn’t be offering him a job.

I think it's a sensible thing to do- especially in this economic climate. If he has more than one job offer than financial stability is a consideration that he may make.

It seems like you're taking his resourcefulness and preparedness very personally. There are good reasons for transparency requirements when it comes to this kind of documentation. He was there as a candidate for a job, not for a first date. Sorry OP, YABU.

Yabu. You are also bvvvvu to write would of.

I’m also shocked by your reaction. Surely everyone does their research. It’s not being nosy, they weren’t researching you personally, it was the company and therefore companies house holds relevant information.

What was the role? If it’s a finance role then it would be a red flag for me if they hadn’t read the companies accounts. I’m an Accountant and I’ve always looked and “admitted” it.

Sorry but YABU. Is there something you are trying to hide? Of course it's public information, and so it should be, why do you think it shouldn't?

@GreyhoundG1rl am so glad someone else said it first....

I know they are public information (which i disagree with)

You so know why limited company information is public don't you?

You don't agree with corporate transparency?

Wow OP, this is called due diligence. If you’re interviewee wasn’t checking this information that would be a flag.

Well the fact he admitted it shows he is honest as well as sensible . Personally I can’t see a problem .

@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.

Then dissolve the company and trade as a partnership.

He hasn't done anything wrong by looking or talking about it.

I have to say I have never agreed before with every other poster, apart from the OP. Your attitude is very strange. Your business isnt that small if you are not filing small companies accounts (which show very little - personally I think they should show more). You sound quite naive about business. I also think the candidate has shown very good sense. It doesnt mean he can do the job, but shows he has a good head on his shoulders (or has followed careers advice closely!!). Perhaps business isnt for you?

@Nyancat

I think an interview is a two way process where the candidate should be looking to see if they want to work for you as well as you seeing if you want them to work for you. I don't see anything wrong with doing research on a company you are interviewing for, given the last year I would particularly want to know whether the company is stable and likely to continue trading over the longer term. If anything I'd see it as the candidate being serious about wanting the job.

This

Are you Ann Armstrong ?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Armstrongs

YABU. I'm sure he could do better than your business.

@GreyhoundG1rl

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

A deserved low blow, in the circumstances!

Can't believe you're surprised actually

I think he's shown he's honest by telling you that in the interview and also he does his research into things. Signs of a good employee IMO

He sounds like a keeper - however he doesn’t deserve to work for you. Why shouldn’t he tell you he’d looked at your accounts? As a candidate he’s showing he is sensible and has done his research as he actually wants to work for you and ensure he has made the right decision. I would be more put off by your basic grammatical errors and your attitude.

I would never say that to an interviewer.

But because you wouldn’t do something doesn’t make it wrong. Just different.

I hope you told him at interview how annoyed you were....so he had opportunity to withdraw.