When applying for a new job....

[Vanilla]

...and they ask you your current salary - do they ever check?

I ask because although my annual salary is low (compared to the industry) most of my $$ is from bonuses.

I'm worried companies may see the low salary and only interview me to make an offer a bit higher. Problem is that with my bonuses, benefits, allowances, etc my actual earnings is very high and i'd expect the same or more.

For example.

Recruiter or company sees my annual salary is 35k but this does not take into account the 10k bonus and around 15k of extra bonuses a year (and 7k car but that's irrelevant). I may be set up for interviews at the 40-45k range but am actually looking for 55-60k+.

Do they ever ask for payslips and the such before or after employment?

 

[scorza]

Dunno, but when they ask for your current salary do they not mean your total renumeration package (i.e. including bonuses)? You should be keeping your P60 (that shows your total taxable income) every year anyway so you should have no problem proving it

 

[Vanilla]

Dunno, but when they ask for your current salary do they not mean your total renumeration package (i.e. including bonuses)? You should be keeping your P60 (that shows your total taxable income) every year anyway so you should have no problem proving it

Yup, will keep the P60, forgot about that.

At the moment i'm putting my details into totaljobs.co.uk for recruiters to see. Salary is usual the your base salary, the guaranteed regular payment.

Thing is the bonuses are pretty much guaranteed as I work for an industry leader and do very well.....

 

[JollyGreen]

I was in a similar situation.
I just told them my (extremely low) salary and what I wanted (about 8k more than I was on), I proved that I was worth it and they offered me the job.

 

[panthro]

I lied last time someone asked.

 

[Sequoia]

I lied last time someone asked.

Which is not good for your prospects if they subsequently find out.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with the situation Vanilla explained. It's not uncommon. But, if someone lies to me and I find out about it, your cards are marked. I will then be wondering what else you lied to me about? Your career with me is over at that point. And, depending on what else you fibbed about (like experience and/or qualifications), you might well find yourself being escorted unceremoniously off the company premises.

Of course, it's quite possible I wouldn't find out ..... but I do run background checks on potential employees, and it's astonishing what can sometimes come to light.

 

[stewc]

I lied last time someone asked.

If your employer finds out I'd expect them to consider sacking you to be honest. If someone has lied even before they've started working for the company how can you trust them as an employee, what else might they lie about?

In answer to the original question, yes I believe a significant proportion of companies would consider obtaining a reference from your previous employer which would likely include confirmation of earnings.

 

[Morba]

are they allowed to request the leaving or current salary from an applicants last place of work?

 

[BF-Bert]

Its not so much if a new employer finds out your old salary, they will as soon as you give them your p45 from your last employer.

 

[Lostkat]

If your employer finds out I'd expect them to consider sacking you to be honest. If someone has lied even before they've started working for the company how can you trust them as an employee, what else might they lie about?

In answer to the original question, yes I believe a significant proportion of companies would consider obtaining a reference from your previous employer which would likely include confirmation of earnings.

Are they allowed to do that though? I don't think they are. They'll get your yearly earnings off your P45 etc., but I don't think they're allowed to ask your previous company how much you're on. That sort of stuff is confidential, surely?

 

[Murf]

Well if they ask what your current salary is just state your total renumeration package is, making it clear that's not your base salary. You can prove it if necessary.