Would you refuse to disclose your current salary in a job interview?

[EastEnder]

Yes, they do. Unless the tax code is operated on a 1 week/1 month basis (denoted with an X after the tax code e.g. 503L X or BR X) the earnings to date in that tax year are shown as a gross amount for the new employer to enter on their payroll in order that when an employee starts work part way through the tax year they have the correct previous earnings figures for that year from the outset to ensure the correct tax is deducted.

That rings a bell actually....

Don't know if it's apocryphal, but I've heard of people being sacked because they lied about their previous salary and their new employers subsequently found out...

 

[equationgirl]

Yes, they do. Unless the tax code is operated on a 1 week/1 month basis (denoted with an X after the tax code e.g. 503L X or BR X) the earnings to date in that tax year are shown as a gross amount for the new employer to enter on their payroll in order that when an employee starts work part way through the tax year they have the correct previous earnings figures for that year from the outset to ensure the correct tax is deducted.

The P45 is front of me has the X as described but no total pay to date or total tax to date figures. So my P45 will not inform my new employer of anything other than my name, NI number, leaving date and tax code.

 

[baldrick]

The P45 is front of me has the X as described but no total pay to date or total tax to date figures.

UNLESS it has an X it will have the gross pay details

 

[EastEnder]

Interesting:

http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/cvsurgery/story/0,,1181530,00.html

Take the example of a young man recently employed by a major household goods manufacturing company, who discovered this the hard way.

He joined the company claiming his previous salary to be 25% higher than it actually was. Yet when the payroll system processed the tax details from his former employer the deceit was uncovered. Four hours after arriving at his desk he was marched from the building.

I'm far from an expert on tax...... can any company work it out like that?

 

[killer b]

it's pretty easy - if they know how much tax you have paid since the beginning of the tax year, they know how much you've been paid. and they have to know how much tax you've paid, otherwise they won't be able to do your PAYE correctly...

 

[Iam]

No, I don't see why I'd need to.

 

[lights.out.london]

Interesting:

http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/cvsurgery/story/0,,1181530,00.html



I'm far from an expert on tax...... can any company work it out like that?

Yes. They can and do. I warn my candidates to expect to be challenged and audited.

A number of my clients ask candidates for payslips when interviewing for "front office" roles e.g. traders, analysts, sales/trading etc,.

I'd find bizarre that a jobseeker (whether it's City stuff or not) would refuse to discuss their compensation/package.

 

[EastEnder]

I'd find bizarre that a jobseeker (whether it's City stuff or not) would refuse to discuss their compensation/package.

Same here - I'd never really thought about it before, just assumed it was a pretty standard thing. I've always been asked at interviews, and I've always answered truthfully.

I can't really see the problem either. As long as you have a reasonable idea of what you're worth in the current market place - aim for that or a bit higher. Historically I've usually asked for a couple of K more than what I'm currently on, and either got that or more.

I suppose people could argue that current salary shouldn't be a factor in future salary negotiations, but that does seem a bit dubious. If someone doesn't want to divulge their current rate because they're asking for a 10K increase, surely that would either mean they were currently being woefully underpaid, or were massively overselling themselves. If they're asking for a sensible increase, what's the problem in being honest about their current salary?

 

[lights.out.london]

As much as Urbs generally moan about agencies/headhunters/recruiters, this is an area where a good recruiter [ahem... ], working with their candidate can make a positive difference to the deal the candidate is offered.

P45 or no P45, it doesn't take a Phd in Hard Sums to calculate a person's earnings within the last tax period.

 

[Kanda]

It's just Urbs finding any excuse to *stick it to the man*

 

[lights.out.london]

It's just Urbs finding any excuse to *stick it to the man*

Lol. And I'm such a sensitive boy...

 

[equationgirl]

at my last interview, they asked what salary I was looking for, and I told them a range I would be happy with, and they offered me a salary from that range.

Besides, I'm working in Ireland at the moment, so my P45 refers to the last tax year (when I was a student and earning bugger all) not this one.

 

[Dowie]

it's pretty easy - if they know how much tax you have paid since the beginning of the tax year, they know how much you've been paid. and they have to know how much tax you've paid, otherwise they won't be able to do your PAYE correctly...

what about starting a job in a new tax year - does the employer still get to find out how much tax was paid in the previous tax year?

 

[EastEnder]

at my last interview, they asked what salary I was looking for, and I told them a range I would be happy with, and they offered me a salary from that range.

We ask people what sort of salary they're looking for, rather than just state some fixed amount. I think it's better that way because you know what people are genuinely after, and therefore whether they'll be satisfied or not. There's no point in hiring disgruntled employees, that doesn't help anyone. IMHO, a bit of honesty all round is a good thing.

 

[oddworld]

Do you need more money EE for new sandals in Italy?

 

[EastEnder]

Do you need more money EE for new sandals in Italy?

My existing sandals are a delight to behold and shall be gracing the sun drenched Italians beaches once more this year.

 

[oddworld]

The socks ?

 

[EastEnder]

Oh yes.

Bring it on.

 

[A Dashing Blade]

Getting back to the OP, no I wouldn't expect it to be asked.

When and if asked then the reply should be along the lines of "I only discuss my current and future renumeration at the final stages of the recuitment process"

If pushed then "I refer you to my previous answer"

If pushed further then a blunt "You offer me the job and I'll tell you"

If told "It's part of our standard recruitment procedure" then "and my standard procedure is to refuse to answer"

 

[Kanda]

But you work in that kind of sector DB Aren't you more likely to get poached/recruited than go looking for a role?

 

[EastEnder]

Getting back to the OP, no I wouldn't expect it to be asked.

When and if asked then the reply should be along the lines of "I only discuss my current and future renumeration at the final stages of the recuitment process"

If pushed then "I refer you to my previous answer"

If pushed further then a blunt "You offer me the job and I'll tell you"

If told "It's part of our standard recruitment procedure" then "and my standard procedure is to refuse to answer"

I find that slightly surprising.....

I've never had any problem disclosing my current salary to prospective employers.

TBH, if someone answered like you described at one of our interviews, there's no chance they'd get the job. Anyone coming out with a phrase like "I refer you to my previous answer" would be met with a swift "...well thanks for coming, we'll be in touch...."

 

[secretsquirrel]

*ponders perhaps this is why I'm on 4 grand a year less than I was a couple of years back*

*weeps*

 

[EastEnder]

*ponders perhaps this is why I'm on 4 grand a year less than I was a couple of years back*

*weeps*

Because you did or didn't disclose your previous salary?

 

[lights.out.london]

I find that slightly surprising.....

I've never had any problem disclosing my current salary to prospective employers.

TBH, if someone answered like you described at one of our interviews, there's no chance they'd get the job. Anyone coming out with a phrase like "I refer you to my previous answer" would be met with a swift "...well thanks for coming, we'll be in touch...."

^ I agree.