To refuse to send income tax history to agency?

[NextOneb]

I have been in my current job for 4.5 years.
The job I had before my current one, was with a company that went into administration.

I have secured a new job with an agency as a contractor. I am shocked at how tedious the reference process has been.

Not only has my current employer provided a satisfactory reference, as has my university and I also obtained a character reference as requested. The agency is insisting I get a reference from the company that went into administration and they have asked me to share with them my income tax and pension payment history from HMRC’s website. Aibu to not provide this, as it shows my salary history? This is more information I have been asked to disclose than, I had to share to get security clearance in a previous role…

I feel my salary history is something the agency may use to try to negotiate contractor salaries on my behalf and ie pay me less, whilst paying themselves more. I just don’t feel comfortable with this level of information. However Aibu here?

I’ll probably just send what she’s asked for, although she hasn’t provided a reason for why she wants that level of income detail.

I feel like I’m walking on eggshells if I ask for clarification or redact, like she’ll ask for the non-redacted version next.

It sounds like you won't get the job unless you supply what they require but it is worth asking them why they needed. I wouldn't worry about them being able to work out your salary. They could certainly work out your salary from the amount of taxes paid as would be stated in your P45 anyway.

Can they use your previous salary to negotiate your new one? Yes, they can but you can also refuse any lower offers. At the end of the day, you know what you want and you know what they offered. They know what they are willing to pay for the skillset and experience you have. There are two parties in this negotiation, and each is free to choose what to do.

No i was talking about collating the info yourself, from your own tax account, reacting it and sending it to them. I wouldnt be letting them have access to my tax account in any shape or form

I absolutely would not do this! It’s none of their business. Redacted or nothing. They do not need that information.

I've just asked, and there's no legal basis for them to ask for previous salary, and if they say there is, ask them which law. Frankly, at this point, I'd be looking for a new agency or contacting the work placement directly and asking them the same questions.

i wouldn'T even say that. I would send, with clenched teeth, the documentation with all private details redacted. And that would be it.

To those of you saying to redact, would you check in advance if redacting is okay before doing so? Or would you send the redacted version upfront?

Just checking as I’m not sure how to approach this.

Just send it redacted. The only reason they want it is to negotiate your pay and lap up the cream for themselves.

Legally, they have no basis to ask for it. And if they do ask for it, ask them what legal reason they are requesting it for - Do this in writing. They sound like utter tosh.

ah, it’s just awkward because obviously I don’t want to rock the boat in case I don’t get the job. Really frustrating as I had a start date and sought a reference from my current employer, but stopped short of handing my notice in as I haven’t received a proper contract yet.

You're not rocking the boat. Think of this as a test to see how the agency treats you.

Send it through redacted and state why.

hold your nerve ! They are being unreasonable , not you.

Aaaaaah ok, this explains everything 😅

They want to check you were working in the UK and not up to nefarious business abroad.

And also that you were working in the org that you said you were working at rather than somewhere else or in prison etc.

My previous employer insisted on evidencing any gaps in references / employment of 3 months or longer and the evidence considered acceptable was very specific and included a letter from HMRC confirming you employment details during the ‘gap’. This is because some people unfortunately lie to cover up their history which can be anything from being in prison during that period to being fired from a completely different in job so leaving it off their c.v.

And whilst a DBS check would show up prison time, it wouldn't show offences committed abroad. So IF you have spent time abroad (more than just a holiday) they will request a certificate from that country's authorities, even if you were there working for HMG.
This is the case for employed staff as well as contractors so isn't your agency being awkward.
Whatever you do, DO NOT resign until your new contract is signed. The process can take 6-9 months.

Give them a printout or screen grab and redact the fuck out of it.

I would take this as a big red flag that this agency is going to be a PITA to deal with going forward. If you are still with your current employer and have other offers or opportunities I would give them a swerve. Or at worst send redacted information. I would also be leaving a very harsh review on the appropriate sites if you decide not to go with them.

I'd just send it redacted with no comment as to why. And if they ask why say they wanted proof of work history and the document shows that. Any pushbike on that and I would be asking why

They definitely are being awkward, and no offence but I’m not sure that you understand my sector and I don’t want to out myself here. You will just have to take my word for it that I have had the highest level of vetting possible for my current job and no issues about my previous employer were raised, and all checks were completed in 3 weeks.

In comparison, this agency is definitely being awkward as the new role does not require the same level of checks or scrutiny.

also thanks everyone, I’m going to sleep on it and see what I want to do tomorrow. I funnily enough have another job interview tomorrow for a more desirable position elsewhere so I’m going to gauge what happens with that.

Are you sure you are a Contractor OP?

The new role is a contractor position but paid on a paye basis via the agency

Umbrella company?
IR35 compliant?

No and yes

Apologies, its none of my business I know but as a Contractor with a Contractor DH and lots of Contractor friends I have seen all sorts
Hope it goes well whatever you decide to do