Or is this normal when starting a new job?

[UnkleLevi]

Very prepared to be told IABU but need some perspective as this seems farcical to me and I’m getting irate.

Applied for and accepted a new job. Been in current post 4 years.

The HR dept have sent me half a dozen policies that I need to confirm I’ve read (these are not short documents) and 4 forms to complete (including things like payroll, I’ve always done this at induction). They’ve requested a passport style photo for ID (again always previously done during induction). They’ve used my personal email address without asking me to sign me up to a portal for my DBS, portal not accepting my ID. No one can tell me why there’s a problem. I’m expected to call a helpline. I’ve had DBS checks before but was always done by HR. Is it reasonable for them to expect me to spend my free time doing all this and making phone calls etc?

I’ve been asked to produce every original certificate I’ve ever been issued. I left school about 20 years ago, multiple house moves, I have copies of some and not originals (I couldn’t tell you why). I have my BA certificate but I’ve also been asked for originals of all my CPD and First Aid. I only have digital copies of these (and I’m not expected to be a First Aider in this job anyway). I understand due diligence but surely they don’t need to see a certificate for the B I got in GCSE drama?

I am exhausted by all the requests. I hardly had time to apply for jobs but did so because I wanted more time with my children. It’s a downwards move with fewer responsibilities. This is not a high or even average paid job. The amount of work I’ve done before I’ve started is crazy. The interview alone was 4 hours (wasn’t offered a drink or a loo break). I’ve also had to buy a new wardrobe as it’s a more formal workplace.

EDIT: they’ve also asked me to go in in person before I start to sign various forms. I don’t live in the same town so not easily done.

I’m close to saying “if you want me to work for you please work with me or rescind the offer because this is ridiculous”.

Is this normal? AIBU to be pissed off?

Moving to the NHS by any chance?

As teachers, for example, we have to read and sign policies which is understandable but a 4 hour interview..wow!! As for certificates..mine are long gone. Are you sure you want to work in this place as l would be afraid they would be on my case nonstop. My dc have had a lot of interviews as they start their careers and some are quite intense but yours seem extreme.

Wow. I've never been asked for anything like that

It’s a school. But I’ve worked in schools before (non teaching) and not had this. Maybe I’ve just been lucky that I’ve not had to jump through hoops before.

Is it a school? If so, very normal.

I think some schools have been criticised by OFSTED for not completing their due diligence with new staff starters ( and possibly established staff) I believe it was one of the things that the poor headteacher who committed suicide was pulled up on, so I imagine a few schools are trying to make themselves bullet proof on this aspect of safeguarding.

I worked for the government and I was often asked to meet & greet candidates arriving for interviews. The interview letter requested that they bought all their original certificates for school qualifications and university degrees mentioned on their CV, plus birth certificate, passport, proof of address eg Council Tax bill etc.
I had to photocopy all this documentation on the day and return copies to HR central department. I would estimate that only 25% of people turned up with all the paperwork needed. The successful candidates couldn’t start work until all documentation had been received, plus the subsequent successful clearance of all security checks (questions covered family as well as applicant) .

Yes, this is normal for a school.

Are they due an Ofsted? It sounds like they’re wanting their single central record (HR files) watertight. Schools can fail inspection on that instantly if it’s not up to scratch. And, with inspections being what they are right now, it’s any reason to bring a school down so if you said you’ve got a B in drama and they haven’t seen evidence of your B in drama the inspection team will start picking elsewhere to see if there are other things they haven’t got evidence of. I had an inspector ask me once how they knew the GP surgery listed on a staff file wasn’t made up. I was like “because it’s over the road there” and pointed out the window!

@junebirthdaygirl this is my concern, they sent the presentation topic for the interview out at 9pm. So I only had one evening to do it before it had to be submitted in advance of the interview. It was split into 4 parts: aforementioned presentation, standard panel, interview with head, in tray.

Yanbu at all.

I started a job in a school a few years ago. It was for one hour a week £20 an hour, term time only. So about £700 per annum.

Dbs. No problem.
Safe guarding. No problem.
Passport delivered in person. Ok but we're now 6 hours free work in. For £20 a week.

Then came through an email with about 10 videos to watch, each long with questions, all irrelevant to my role.

I said - no. I'm not doing these, it simply isn't worth all this admin work for such a small role.

Nothing else was said and I started the next month.

Much of that is fairly normal where I work although I don't think they want copies of A level certs etc. But the DBS, policies, ID etc are all standard.

It's safer recruitment and school have to evidence all of that on your personnel file.

It’s this. It’s an immediate fail or needs improvement and revisit if they can’t produce all this. If you started on a Monday the could technically be penalised if they can’t prove all this on the Tuesday.
Ridiculous

Just for clarity. I understand I need these things, but always done during induction before. DBS in advance, fine. But I’m having problems with the portal and now I have to wait on hold trying to sort it? Can’t ID be printed and policies be read during induction rather than on my time? I’ve never had to submit a payroll form in advance before and obviously don’t have my P45 from my previous job yet.

@Ribenaberry12 thanks for sharing, crazy about the GP surgery. All seems very officious I suppose and I’ve not experienced this before.

@arethereanyleftatall thanks for understanding, feels like a lot of hassle when it’s about break even after childcare. Think I’ve clocked well over 6 hours already.

From the replies it doesn’t seem that it’s abnormal in this setting. Have to suck it up (or walk away) I suppose.

Not sure of the role or size of school but inductions are usually quick and you wouldn't be able to start in the building without all documents in place so can't risk you not having them on the first day. I've been asked to bring them to interview and they've been copied on the day.

It wouldn't be unusual for 'induction' to be a show around the school, very brief intro to designated safeguarding staff and reading child protection policies etc. schools are so busy and running on skeleton staff these days. My last 2 school jobs have included no handover whatsoever! So as a PP mentioned, all docs need to be in place before you begin.

I work in a school (independent) and this is all very normal BUT we would have you come in and do the DBS with you and we’d pay you for the training.

Normal for a school. Just done all this - and I’m not even teaching, I’m just support staff for two days a week. It’s ridiculous yes, but it’s part and parcel of the territory. On the plus side, once it’s down, it’s done.
Dbs was also done via my private email, because it’s mine, even though it’s paid for by the school. So it’s transferable from employer to employer. Edit to add. You can sign up for it to be annually updated.

Totally normal for a school. It's not that big a deal.