Overstating how much you earn when applying for a job.

JoshyBoy_2

Can overstating your salary come back and bite you in your backside, when you start a new job?

Nick_C

Yes. Your new employer will be able to see what you were previously earning from your P45. When they discover your are dishonest, they may decide to sack you.

ohreally

The new employer doesn't require s P45.

JoshyBoy_2

I assumed it was fairly common to exaggerate your current salary if asked.

It's the first time I've done so, I exaggerated by £2k P/A.

Undervalued

JoshyBoy wrote: »

Can overstating your salary come back and bite you in your backside, when you start a new job?

Well, technically it is fraud! So, yes it potentially could.

You have lied in order to secure a financial advantage. How dim a view the new employer takes is up to them.

TELLIT01

Calling it fraud is stretching it a bit I think. A prospective employer doesn't have to match or beat the existing salary. If questioned about the figure it might be possible to claim that you stated the top of the salary band as that is the max you could earn in the role.
The new employer doesn't need the P45 but they can still see YTD earnings when the HRMC figures are used for tax calculation. Many employers will request a P45, if available, as it's the simplest way to ensure the correct tax is being paid.

JoshyBoy_2

To be fair, I do get a bonus every six months, which would take my earnings close to the figure I stated, but I don't consider that to be a salary, as it's not guaranteed.

Nick_C

I think it's fair and honest to include the bonus in stating what you earn, and if (it's unlikely) your new employer did notice a discrepancy between your year to date earnings and your stated salary, this would be a reasonable explanation.

In future though, I wouldn't recommend making any inaccurate statements when applying for further jobs.

tea_lover

If your bonus takes you near to the figure you've given then I wouldn't worry too much.

I understated my salary on the last application I made, as I didn't want to price myself out of the running.

Undervalued

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Calling it fraud is stretching it a bit I think. A prospective employer doesn't have to match or beat the existing salary. If questioned about the figure it might be possible to claim that you stated the top of the salary band as that is the max you could earn in the role.
The new employer doesn't need the P45 but they can still see YTD earnings when the HRMC figures are used for tax calculation. Many employers will request a P45, if available, as it's the simplest way to ensure the correct tax is being paid.

I did say "technically"!

Telling a prospective employer that you won't accept the job below a salary of £X is fine and 100% legal.

Telling them you currently earn £Y when that is not true is, as I said, fraud. It used to be a separate offence called "Obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception". It is no different to falsely claiming to have experience or particular qualifications. It is very unlikely, in most circumstances, that you would be prosecuted but it can and sometimes does happen.

[Deleted User]

Don't talk in terms of salary ever - talk in terms of 'package'

Bonus, car allowance, laptop, phone, pension, bonuses, share schemes, other perks ect

If you put a hard figure on your 'base salary' and lie about it, it can come back and bite you.

You get around this by being fuzzy about the 'value' of your package - and be explicit in that you are "looking for a salary over £xK"