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Original poster

LEGAL OPINION? DH's boss wants to see my bank details! Is this legal?

56 replies

BaffledByBabyTights · 13/05/2007 20:47

DH works in public sector and is having some security vetting for a new job, and part of it is they want to see his financial records to make sure he's not being blackmailed/has a gambling habit/a fraudster etc. However, he was told today that the vetting people want to see my bank statements too and my credit card statements. I am mightily p*ed off about this as I don't work for them, and see it as a huge violation of my privacy - can I tell them to shove it without them being able to refuse him the job?

OP posts:
SugaryBits · 13/05/2007 21:28

My dad is in the police and recently applied for a new job. They vetted all his immediate family, including me and my husband.

CaptainUnderpants · 13/05/2007 21:36

Your DH boss will not see the information that has been asked for . Sometime high level vetting is done by Ministry of Defence.

My DH has recently been vetted and they wanted to see the childrens saving books , I just supplied them with a photcopy of the book ,didn't trust my DH not to lose them.

If your DH cant get vetting properly he may not get the job.

scatterbrain · 13/05/2007 21:41

Yes - I have had positive vetting in civil service as had my dh. we have had our stuff pawed over many times - there is a specific dep't that does it, no-one you know will see it and it is all very confidential.

In my experience if you refuse the whole vetting process will fail and if your dh's future promotion etc relies on him being positively vetted then it will jepardise him.

We both had to be vetted to take on new roles - if the vetting had failed, or if we had refused info, the jobs would have been withdrawn. Some jobs are defined as needing clearance and it is niver negotiable.

MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 21:47

Baffled, has your poor DH died of embarrassment yet?

CaptainUnderpants · 13/05/2007 21:50

I think you will 'cock it up' if you refuse the information they have asked for.

bewilderbeast · 13/05/2007 21:52

they can refuse to give him the job. say for example you are a civil servant in a sensitive job, eg an ECO and you have access to valuable documents, say visas and the ability to bring people to the uk then you need to be squeaky clean and you can' have any financial problems that could lead a large money offer to sway your integrity

RustyBear · 13/05/2007 21:59

DH says this sounds like Developed Vetting - he's never had to have it done yet, but it might happen in the future (he did some work for the Metropolitan Police & only had to have his own details checked, not mine)
This page from the MOD site explains why they ask for your details.(scroll down a bit)

chocolatekimmy · 13/05/2007 22:01

Ask them what specific legislation provides for this request and look it up. It must be governed in some way

CaptainUnderpants · 13/05/2007 22:07

The MOD site is very useful, basically no one can be forced to give the information but if they want the job they have to give it and that means partners too.

They dont legally ahve to give it , but when they take up a job or apply for it then they are aware of the vetting .

No vetting = no job , simple as that.

SueW · 13/05/2007 22:12

It's all about not being embarrassed!

E.g. if you are embarrassed about your financial situation or a purchase made on your credit card, then you could be seen as vulnerable to being blackmailed and as a result might engage your DH in pillow talk to get info so that someone won't 'blow your cover' on your finances.

Original poster
BaffledByBabyTights · 14/05/2007 19:20

Thank you for your opinions and advice, (although MissRisible, I do not appreciate or merit being posted to as you did). His interview is tomorrow, so I guess I will have to toe the party line - even though I married the man, not the job.

OP posts:
PeachyChocolateEClair · 14/05/2007 19:25

Dh turned down a job years ago because I wouldnt givce him my bank details- why should I? I was earning MY oney and at that time we were not amrried, had no kids, had been living together about 3 weeks and they wanted my details going abck a year (ie 10 months before I met DH!)

PeachyChocolateEClair · 14/05/2007 19:26

(this was for a haulge firm btw, nothing MOD or police-like at all)

munz · 14/05/2007 19:29

we had to do all of this when DH was going away. DH had to provide the details of his parents mine and our brothers incl their financial back ground.

PeachyChocolateEClair · 14/05/2007 19:31

I wonder what would happen then if I wanted to do something like this- my sister would tell me to eff off if I needed a blade of grass from her garden, never mnd something like this, purely because ts me- and MIL won't speak to Dh until he disowns FIL......

Career options limited then I guess!

Oh well, have to stay home and watch Neighbours instead

chocolattegirl · 14/05/2007 19:52

I believe that if you apply for CRB checking then they also look at your immediate family background (in case you forgot to mention your brother went down for violent armed robbery or something like that) so it's probably not unreasonable that some organisations will want to vet you financially.

When I worked as an audit clerk some years back I had to self-certify that I had financial 'integrity' but doubtless nowadays they'd want copies of my bank statements to verify it for themselves. Since you're married, they're probably assuming rightly or wrongly that you have an interest in your dh's money and vice versa. I know how you feel though - I hate other people seeing my financial stuff.

UCM · 14/05/2007 19:53

Lol at blade of grass PC.

PeachyChocolateEClair · 14/05/2007 19:56

I've been CRB'd som amny times I think I have my own section (PTA / Work / Rainbows etc) but I've never been asked about my family

nooka · 14/05/2007 20:27

There are different levels of CRB checking. The extended check might involve more active scrutiny I guess, but otherwise it's a remote check, in that you fill in the forms with your details and the bureau does everything from accessing databases. I don't think there is any way to avoid the vetting if your husband wants the job. It is an invasion of your privacy, but it's for jobs with access to confidential information or with security issues it's not unusual.

unknownrebelbang · 14/05/2007 20:35

Good luck for DH for tomorrow.

PeachyChocolateEClair · 14/05/2007 20:38

I did have extended but perhaps I missed that bit? not that it was an issue- nearest family criminal is two generations ago (unless you count drunk cousin and his streaking phase)

RustyBear · 14/05/2007 21:01

I have extended CRB, but I don't remember being asked for details of anyone else.
On the other hand,as my BIL is an ambassador, I suspect that my whole family has been well and truly vetted by MI5 without even being asked....

MrsMuddle · 14/05/2007 21:15

I was a CRB signatory, and even for the enhanced checks you didn't need to give family details.

scatterbrain · 14/05/2007 22:54

This isn't CRB checking though - it's vetting !

Quite a different kettle of fish. As others have said it is to check that there isn't anything in your background that could make you liable to blackmail or being bribed. If you're going to be dealing with sensitive - usually top secret stuff - then you cannot be the kind of person who could be bribed - and you can't be living with someone who might be that kind of person either.

Good luck to your dh for tomorrow.

Tinker · 14/05/2007 23:05

Ooo, ambassador to where RB? My brother is ex-FCO