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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:
Dustyhedge · 24/05/2021 19:10

Every interview I have been I’ve looked at the accounts/annual report. I’d expect a candidate to at middle management level and above to look at the accounts so I think it’s utterly astonishing you’d penalise someone for doing so.

Sparklesocks · 24/05/2021 19:10

Echoing the many others - I think it’s savvy. Interviews are meant to be a two way thing - he needs to be sure he’s joining a steady/healthy company as much as you need to be sure you’re hiring someone capable.

Cam2020 · 24/05/2021 19:10

YABVU although in a way I hope he doesn't get a job working for you - he deserves to work somewhere normal..

Completely agree with this!

AngusThermopyle · 24/05/2021 19:10

[quote DynamoKev]Are you Ann Armstrong ?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Armstrongs[/quote]
That was a great programme 😂

Op, I agree with practically everyone else here, YABVU. He sounds pretty savvy. I'd hire him.

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 24/05/2021 19:11

@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?

This has got to be a reverse..... surely?

Doing due diligence on a company you might be working for is pretty good practice. The accounts are a matter of public record, and I'd be impressed that the candidate had the nous to look them up.

riddles26 · 24/05/2021 19:11

You appear to think an interview is a one way street where a candidate has to sell themselves to you and meet your every demand. You are very mistaken - you also should be showing them why they should want to work for you.

Checking out the solvency of a company with information that is readily available in public domain makes good sense when applying to work for a small business. They may be leaving behind a very secure role and will want to ensure your company is likely to be there in 1/3/5 years time and they will still be employed. Especially in the current climate

YABVVVVVU and I would be put off from working for someone like you

Notonthestairs · 24/05/2021 19:11

He's diligent & honest.

You are very easily offended.

FiddlefigOnTheRoof · 24/05/2021 19:11

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

You sound unprofessional and naive. Ridiculous. The man deserves a more trusting and intelligent employer.

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 24/05/2021 19:11

@Cam2020

YABVU although in a way I hope he doesn't get a job working for you - he deserves to work somewhere normal..

Completely agree with this!

100% agree!

Any company that is offended at the idea a potential employee might check out their accounts is not a company I'd work for.

C152 · 24/05/2021 19:12

I think YABVU. The interviewee has done what a good interviewee is supposed to - researched the company they want to work for. And it makes perfect sense to check how solvent your future employer is - particularly given the difficulties many employers and employees have had over the last year.

NoProblem123 · 24/05/2021 19:12

It’s absolutely no difference to you seeing his CV.
You both need to know what you can bring to the table, and for how long.

Good for him. More applicants should do this and ALL employees should appreciate them doing this homework and being thorough.

YerWanIsGettinNotions · 24/05/2021 19:12

Yes OP, what kind of role is it? Maybe one of us has an opening for an enterprising and detail oriented person.

He wasn't to know that you feel the same way about publicly available corporate information as you do about your knicker drawer.

PandoraP · 24/05/2021 19:12

Agree with everyone else Grin

ThinWomansBrain · 24/05/2021 19:13

I wouldn't dream of even applying for a role without looking at the accounts, much less attend an interview.

f I'm interviewing, I expect candidates to have read the accounts in preparation.

Why would anyone apply for a role without researching the organisation?
Being offended that someone has done so is peculiar - and very unreasonable,

stuckinarutatwork · 24/05/2021 19:13

It's hardly nosy. It's information that's easily accessible by the public and good on him for doing his homework first.

lmao88 · 24/05/2021 19:13

Shows that the interviewee has done his research and shows initiative, otherwise if your company was distressed / challenged why would he bother applying for a position there. Large companies (private and listed) publish their annual reports which includes salary / bonuses of the board of directors, and those who interview at such companies are expected to have done their research on the companies financials.

GreyhoundG1rl · 24/05/2021 19:14

He wasn't to know that you feel the same way about publicly available corporate information as you do about your knicker drawer.
🤣

cansu · 24/05/2021 19:14

Tbh it sounds like he is looking to see whether you are a good company to work for and that sounds sensible. He is also obviously wanting to make a long term move which is also good. Jobs are hard to come by. Why would he leave a stable employer for a company that is in trouble. He is being business like and smart.

123ZYX · 24/05/2021 19:14

I'd be hiring him and firing your accountant, if they're not filing filleted accounts and you want to keep public information to a minimum. (I assume you're a small company if you consider the company's financial information to be so personal)

I've checked on companies house before an interview and found the company had gone bust and less than a year before, and restarted in a new company. I'd didn't take the job and would always check.

Ginger1982 · 24/05/2021 19:14

Hope he runs for the hills!

Mum233 · 24/05/2021 19:15

Yes I’d hire him. He’s used the initiative to check and I think it’s good that he has checked x

luckylavender · 24/05/2021 19:15

That's exactly the sort of employee you need. I fear you'll never like him though.

HavelockVetinari · 24/05/2021 19:15

He sounds extremely sensible to me - I'd never take a job with a company without checking them out myself, I'd want to know their gearing (ratio of debt to equity), how long they'd been trading, profit levels, whether they have a history of excessive dividends or risky financial behaviour. It's a big thing to take a job with a new company, you'd at least want to know they'd not be going bust soon afterwards.

As for mentioning it - why wouldn't he? He's demonstrated that he's intelligent, risk-aware and willing to take the initiative. What's not to like?! If he interviewed well you'd be crazy not to hire him.

saraclara · 24/05/2021 19:15

@Westfacing

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

To use the word 'admit' implies there was something wrong in what he did.

For a business owner you seem a bit sensitive and naive.

Yep. OP, I find it hard to believe that you run a (presumably successful) company, while not having a clue about what's normal, sensible and honest.

It's almost as if you're prefer someone dishonest and devious to join your staff.

What he did was entirely normal, and sensible. And he told you to demonstrate that he'd done his research into the business he hoped to join, and is proactive and well informed.

I'm entirely bemused at you thinking it was sneaky and seeing it as something to 'admit'.

Alonelonelyloner · 24/05/2021 19:16

You are ridiculous OP.

This is clearly a good candidate and they have done their due diligence.
If you had half his brains you'd be applauding this and hiring him on the spot. (Ok sorry hyperbole, but you are being absurd).

Ridiculous.