Disclosure During Background Checks

BigBird42

I am wondering what information can be disclosed by benefit agencies such as JobCentre Plus or DWP during a company background check. I do not want my new employers knowing exactly which benefits I was claiming and when.

From what I understand, they legally cannot disclose any information unless I say they can. However the form I have filled in with a background screening agency states:

"Permission is hereby given to ---, to carry out such searches and validation of details contained in this questionnaire as may be necessary. Searches and validation may include checks of consumer credit records, and the obtaining of details from a state benefits agency or an accountant."

If I have signed this, does this give them permission to request information from the JobCentre or whoever about when I was claiming JSA etc?

enabledebra

It's possible DWP would view this as permission to disclose info to them but unlikely. You can always contact the DWP to clarify that you do not give your permission to give this information out to the company involved despite what you've signed. What this might mean for your employment though I don't know.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/30415/dwp-your-personal-information.pdf

bloolagoon

Does the p45 that your new employer get not detail the benefits anyway?

This_Year

I used to do background checks on job applicants.

From experience, DWP will not disclose info directly to a 3rd party ie a potential employer - they would write to the applicant and advise that xyz company asked for confirmation of dates claiming benefits and if the applicant wished to show xyz this letter as confirmation, it was ok. This was even with a signed disclosure by the applicant supplied.

The letter would then say (along the lines of)

Mr DWP Client claimed JSA from date to date.

No mention of amounts or if it was paid or any sanctions etc.

We used to have to ask the applicant to let us have a copy of that letter for the audit trail, most were happy to supply it.

Surely when you gave your employment history it would have mentioned any gaps or periods of claiming benefits so this information wouldn't be news to the employer?

paddedjohn

What has it got to do with an employer what benefits you receive? Not having a dig, genuine question.

This_Year

In my role we were verifying the stated employment history. So if there was a 3 month period of claiming benefits, we needed to have that confirmed that it was claiming benefits and not in prison, for example.

We did this in the same way we took up employment references and confirmed periods of education. Nothing more than that.

If the applicant told us exactly what he's been doing over the requested period of time (we asked for 5 years) then we would be able to confirm that. It's when it didn't match up that alarm bells would ring and would investigate further.

paddedjohn

But how would a benefit check tell you that someone has been in prison? They may not have been eligible for benefits and were living off savings. References from previous employers should be enough surely

This_Year

paddedjohn wrote: »

But how would a benefit check tell you that someone has been in prison? They may not have been eligible for benefits and were living off savings. References from previous employers should be enough surely

Sorry it's early, think I explained badly or you misunderstood me.

If applicant said,

worked for xyz 08/2007-12/2010
claimed jsa 01/2011 - 04/2011
worked for abc 05/2011-11/2012
lived off savings 12/2012 - date

then we would expect the references and confirmation from DWP dates only (NOT what they claimed, just dates only) to bear this out.
and the lived off savings would generally be taken at face value.

If DWP said "no claim in this time" we would ask applicant to provide proof they were getting benefits that they had stated or how they had supported themselves.

An unverifiable gap doesn't look good on any application.

Jobseeeker

Oh no, I had no idea about this.

I was made redundant and chose to volunteer rather than go on the dole (had savings and redundancy money). Is it OK if you were volunteering and that made it impossible to sign on?

I guess volunteering proves you weren't in prison anyway though?

fishybusiness

Is it OK if you were volunteering and that made it impossible to sign on?

I hope so! I have three volunteer positions with two different agencies, and do not sign on. My thinking is that volunteering is a positive step, maintaining contact with the world, learning new skills, demonstrating ability and motivation.

Who would look down on that?

This_Year

Jobseeeker wrote: »

Oh no, I had no idea about this.

I was made redundant and chose to volunteer rather than go on the dole (had savings and redundancy money). Is it OK if you were volunteering and that made it impossible to sign on?

I guess volunteering proves you weren't in prison anyway though?

Yep. As you would be able to say volunteering for this company during this time, living off redundancy pay etc.

fishybusiness wrote: »

I hope so! I have three volunteer positions with two different agencies, and do not sign on. My thinking is that volunteering is a positive step, maintaining contact with the world, learning new skills, demonstrating ability and motivation.

Who would look down on that?

no-one that's a very positive thing to do.