Can a new employer find out about previous salary?

blueocto

Despite the whole 'lying at interview polava', I can agree with the OP's position.

Doing web design and development, its hard enough convincing Joe Bloggs that its a job, let alone one you get paid for.
Coming out of University, they stick you on minimum wage, making you wonder why you studied for 4+years in the first place.
Then your next employer see's that your first one got you on the cheap, so only raises your £1-2k.... 5 years later you wonder why the hell you are being paid only £15k and trying to keep your house, and everyone else is on £7k more! lol.

Too many employer's trying to get staff on the cheap, yet expect them to do the same job (if not more) than those on higher wages. I personally find it cheeky of a new employer to ask what you previously earned - what does it matter to their company, expenses, etc?
Pay someone what they are worth and in line with the rest of the industry, else I believe you wont get the same commitment and loyality from that employee.

*rant over*

SlickSpartan

Wow...some of the responses here are just ridiculous. EVERYONE tells little lies in interviews and on job applications, the same as when you go on a 1st date. Your not only trying to sell yourself but your also trying to improve a certain aspect in your life and lying to get ahead does not make you a bad person. Don't get me wrong to lie about your salary by 14k is a bit extreme, lol but every single job I've had I've enhanced my previous salary by a few grand and I don't regret it one bit. I work for a financial bank and low and behold I also lied about my grades in school, not because I'm a bad person but because I really wanted the job and they weren't accepting any applications from anyone who didn't hold certain A Levels. So I lied just so I could get that initial interview as I knew I'd walk it after that. 5 years later and I'm still here and now leading my own project team, so I have absolutely no regrets with what I done. Sometimes you have to take a chance to get ahead and I don't think anyone has the right to judge someone based on that! I personally hope you get the job and wish you good luck!

Any

No it can't be found unless asked directly and I doubt anyone would do that.
What is on your payslip or P45 and what you are actually cost are two different things.

I get paid x amount, get x amount study support and a pension at higher then normal rate = that is what I actually cost the employer and "get paid" even though not on paper. These things do not show on my P45.

Employer should not ask how much you earned before. What does that question even mean???? They only ask to find out how little pay they can get away with... What are your expectations is more relevant question and then the employer has to decide whether they are willing to pay that rate.

I know everyone does ask that question, I was asked that before. And I said how much I get paid AND what my benefits are making sure they go high enough with the offer. It was higher then I expected as it turns out - it seems they didn't really take how much I earned at that moment into that much of a consideration - it was what they thought they need to pay me to take that job (it was slightly higher then basic market rate-I was quite underpaid in my last job).

Katie-Kat-Kins

Of course a great many contracts of employment contain a clause that says you salary is confidential and cannot be disclosed.......

treetrunks

dont really see the issue, they agreed to pay a salary that they were happy with and you feel that you deserve. If they find out from your P45 then simply tell them that the increase salary is one you had been offered by them when they found out you were attending interviews. Surely everyone does this? how else would we ever increase our salaries. I justify the small lie by comparing it to the companies that continue to spout being unable to offer pay increases due to economic uncertainty while counting the profits.