Job offer with conflict of interest

NattyVee

Hi guys,

I was recently offered a job with a large retail company which I will not name at the moment. I fought tooth and nail for this job against thousands of other applicants, and was fortunate enough to be selected. This is a head-office position and I will naturally be exposed to sensitive information as part of my role.

Today my contract came through the post, but one question is really worrying me:

"Have you a relative or any close personal connection with someone who owns or holds any management position in any retailing company? If yes, please give details."

My mother is a customer services manager for a major competitor. I'm really worried that if I mention it, they will withdraw my job offer for conflict of interest and sharing of sensitive information.

What would you guys suggest as how to handle this? Do you think they will withdraw the offer if I mention her? She's not a director or anything, and I'm terrified that not mentioning it will mean it comes back to bite me later.

Does anyone know how they will use the answer to this question?

Thanks so much!

dmg24

Call HR and discuss it with them. You have to advise them of the fact, but a phonecall where you can give more details may be a better starting point than a letter.

DVardysShadow

NattyVee wrote: »

... What would you guys suggest as how to handle this? Do you think they will withdraw the offer if I mention her? She's not a director or anything, and I'm terrified that mentioning it will mean it comes back to bite me later.

Does anyone know how they will use the answer to this question?

Thanks so much!

I would be more terrified that not mentioning it would come back to bite you later. Telling them now might bite you, but at least you are only at risk before you hand your notice in.

NattyVee

Argh, sorry, was writing and talking, I meant NOT mentioning it. Will edit my post, but thank you.

McKneff

Agree with all the others,
if you dont tell them you will be worrying 24/7 so its always best to be up front.

NattyVee

Thanks for the advice all.

I just keep thinking, surely it would be very unlikely that a company would withdraw a very enthusiastic offer just because I am related to someone with a senior position in a retail company. After all, the intent to sell on information is hardly based on being close to those who use it - if someone wanted to sell trade secrets, having a family member who could use them would have little relevance.

I'm thinking now that it's probably just for their records, as I'm sure very few people aren't close to someone who works in retail. I guess it's just because this job is so huge that I'm worried about it all.

Just to add some further background, both companies involved are large household names, so I feel they must have employed plenty of people in similar positions with similar backgrounds to myself. My mother doesn't really have any influence into the business side, she just manages a part of the callcentre.

I will put it on the form, but will specify her role as 'customer services' manager in order to draw attention to the fact that she does not work on the figures and business side, but the customer and staff training area of the business.

If anyone feels I should do something different, please do reply as I'd like a broad base of opinions if possible.

jfdi

I'd be even more specific & put 'Call Centre Customer Services Manager'.

Is it worth putting there you hardly see her / don't live at home etc? (if relevant, of course!)

NattyVee

jfdi wrote: »

I'd be even more specific & put 'Call Centre Customer Services Manager'.

Is it worth putting there you hardly see her / don't live at home etc? (if relevant, of course!)

I won't be living at home, but I wonder if I should save that for if they question it rather than writing loads of info which may draw too much attention.

I just wish I knew what their intentions were when asking the question!

anamenottaken

It doesn't sound as though your mother has a very senior role, that is one who would be expected to influence policy/strategy. I would expect them only to be worried if you were related to a director. Just mention the role she has and don't expect them to ask anything more about it.

DCFC79

NattyVee wrote: »

I won't be living at home, but I wonder if I should save that for if they question it rather than writing loads of info which may draw too much attention.

I just wish I knew what their intentions were when asking the question!

i think the idea behind it is to find out if you are reated to anyone who holds a high position in ther food chain in a competitor eg a director or soemone who is able to influence policies or pricing but a customer service call centre manager doesn't have that influence