Strange information request from potential new employer

[Totallyaddictedtoshoes]

I'm just looking for some advice really. Dh was headhunted recently, had 2 interviews and told by the agent he had come out on top. Agent asked what his salary expectations and current package were, when dh told him he said he would have no problem in going back to the employer with that, so it didn't sound like he wouldn't be offered what he was asking for.
Job offer is being processed through their hr at the moment and the agent has just called to say the employer's hr dept is asking for full details of current package, including things he would lose if leaving his current employer like shares, bonus payment etc.
He hasn't even had an offer yet.
I am naturally extremely cautious and suspicious of employers in general (from my upbringing where my dad was made redundant over half a dozen times, I just don't trust any of them!), is it just me who sees this as being strange? Fair enough if they have made an offer and he has accepted, but if they offer less than he wants he won't be accepting anyway, so just seems a waste of time?
Does anyone have any experience of this? I am aware my past has left me exceptionally damaged when it comes to employer trust.....

Sounds to me like they are just trying to benchmark a salary offer that is enticing enough to sway your DH to join them?

He needs to just say
" I am willing to accept an offer for x amount salary.. x amount pension contributions and x amount sickness pay ... or whatever "
It's as simple as that.
He tells them how much he will work for he for

They're making sure they offer him a package he's very unlikely to turn down.

This is quite standard. HR at my current employer asked for a list of benefits etc that I had at the previous one. They want to make a good offer.

They're trying to make sure the offer is competitive. If he was currently on £80k with £8k pension contributions, private healthcare worth £4k and shares worth £10k, total £102k, there would be no point in offering £85k plus £5k pension, no healthcare or shares, even if it looks like a £5k pay rise.

Pretty standard for many employers in my experience. For lots of people their overall package includes plenty stuff in addition to salary and it’s certainly what I benchmark a job offer against. So if eg I’m normally pretty sure I will get a bonus of £x and new potential employer doesn’t do bonuses then I’d want my salary to at least cover £x.

Same if currrent employer offers pension contributions and new one doesn’t (or at a lower level) I will want my new salary to include enough to maintain my desired level of contributions.

This

Don't tell them what you get, tell them what you want

Thank you all, I appreciate your replies. I had wondered if it was because they want to match them, but I'm just such a worry wart that I was panicking they'd try to say he had lied and use it against him (he hasn't by the way, he has just gone over to a different bonus threshold but no way of proving that as it's paid annually in September). I feel much more reassured that's it's normal and shall try to be less distrustful!

Sounds quite positive

Sounds like they’re trying to ensure they’re making him a good offer.

Your level of distrust is very unusual. I’ve never heard of someone being made redundant over half a dozen times. It must have been tough on your family and I’d imagine you were shielded from a lot of it as a child. I’d gently suggest that being suspicious of every organisation because of your father’s employment history may be misplaced.

Oh I know it totally is. It was in the early 90s recession and he was over 40, age was more of a barrier back then (I was told). Mum was a sahm to me and my brother, didn't drive and dad had a company car, my heart sank every time I came home from school and the drive was empty but dad was at home. Grew up with no money and never knowing how long the current job would last. It has really affected me. It started when I was 10 so makes up most of my childhood memories really. Anyway, apologies for going off on a tangent, I'm off to tell dh to ignore me being silly and that I'm really proud of him as they clearly want to employ him.

Extremely standard - although perpetuates low pay. It is better to set out guidelines on what you would be prepared to accept in the new job

Dh has specified his salary expectations not his current salary. He has truthfully mentioned other elements of his current package and it seems to be these they are requesting, plus the stuff he would lose by moving.

Whoever was recruiting, the person or department who interviewed and decided they wanted him have to get someone from HR to approve the salary and benefits package - they will obviously want to keep the offer as low as they can - the people recruiting have to be able to say what your husband is on now to help support their argument that he should be offered a package that is likely to be attractive enough to get him to accept. It's all pretty straight forward and normal in my experience.

It is quite normal to ask for the total package.
Because shares, bonuses, healthcare, school fees etc can add up to a lot more than the basic salary.

This.

Congratulations.

Sounds really positive, so keeping fingers crossed for you.

Thanks, I guess I'm just conditioned to be wary. I could understand them asking his expectations, but the fact they were asking his current situation spooked me. He has given his expectations so we shall see how it goes from there.

Just standard. Nothing to worry about. Of course you can never expect unconditional security from any employer as they are not protected from market forces and other economic climate factors. They have to make appropriate decisions for their business and it won’t be a good outcome for staff on occasion. It sounds like lack of control drives your anxiety and it may help for you to find your own employment if you don’t work already. Then you’d have a bit more stability if any issues

Whether they are doing it to offer him the best package to lure him or to try and see the lowest they can offer that they think he'd accept it didn't matter, ultimately he has a job so if they don't offer him enough to make him want to leave her doesn't go. Nothing to worry about.