Yet another job related thread

josh_sheffield · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:02

So I am in the process for applying for jobs. I told employer A that I had an offer from employer B but that I would prefer to work for them. This wasn't for the purpose of salary notification but just so that they were aware that I had a bit of a deadline that I had to reply to the other company by a certain date. Now it seems that the recruiter at company A has rang a friend at company B and found out what they are offering me. Is that legal? Can company B share info regarding an offer they have made me?

dowie · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:04

I doubt it is illegal, they can advertise what they're offering for a role on the advert if they like. What you should be asking is why is your 'friend' telling the recruiter this...

Semple · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:05

Bit of a **** move by Company A, but i'm assuming no contracts have been drawn up yet? So i'm doubtful this would be deemed illegal.

josh_sheffield · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:06

Sorry it wasn't clear, it's not a friend of mine. It's a friend of the recruiter. Just seems that discussing the specifics of an offer they have made to me is a bit weird. I would have thought there was a degree of confidentiality.

josh_sheffield · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:07

Semple said:
Bit of a **** move by Company A, but i'm assuming no contracts have been drawn up yet? So i'm doubtful this would be deemed illegal.

They've shared my written job offer.

Semple · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:10

josh_sheffield said:
They've shared my written job offer.

Which probably doesn't yet contain any details of yours - the only thing it could breach is the DPA, but it would need your details on the offer.

It'll be something like position X with a salary of Y.

Complain about it if you like, but i can't see you getting anywhere with it.

In hindsight you probably shouldn't have mentioned Company B by name, by all all means say you've got another offer on the table, and the deadline is this date.

llamadal · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:10

How do you know they did this? I wouldn't go near them if it's true(and possible to avoid) doesn't come across as professional in the slightest

josh_sheffield · 5 Feb 2016 at 16:17

Semple said:
Which probably doesn't yet contain any details of yours - the only thing it could breach is the DPA, but it would need your details on the offer.

It'll be something like position X with a salary of Y.

Complain about it if you like, but i can't see you getting anywhere with it.

In hindsight you probably shouldn't have mentioned Company B by name, by all all means say you've got another offer on the table, and the deadline is this date.

Yeah nothing personal really on the form. I don't see much point in complaining but it just seems hugely unprofessional. Yeah, I only mentioned the company by name because she asked and it seemed awkward to say "I don't want to tell you"

llamadal said:
How do you know they did this? I wouldn't go near them if it's true(and possible to avoid) doesn't come across as professional in the slightest

The recruiter told me! Basically said that having seen what I was being offered by company B my offer from them while a smaller salary has a better overall package. When I asked how she knew this she said she had spoken to someone who she used to work with at company B and was told/shown (can't remember her exact phrasing) the details of my offer.

dowie · 6 Feb 2016 at 23:12

she might well be lying, especially if she's not mentioned specific figures and just that it is smaller (something you told her to begin with)

frankly I'd be cautious about telling recruiters this sort of stuff in the first place, not just because of what she's claiming to have done but also there is a risk they call the company themselves and offer to send other candidates who then become your competition. They'll sometimes try to get you to reveal everywhere you're currently applying to under the pretense that they don't want to send in your CV to somewhere you've already applied... while this is something that can cause issues the simple way to avoid it is to make it clear that you're not going to let them send your CV anywhere without asking you first anyway. They're just fishing for information, if they're persistent then just say you'll tell them about where you've interviewed, who your interviewers were and who your manager was at your previous firm after you've secured your new role.