Can my new employer disclose my new salary to my references?

happyandcontented

My son had a job offer this morning from a public body and they asked for three months pay slips. I hadn't heard of it either, but apparently, it is relatively common.

Tealblue

Gavin83 wrote: »

I think some have misunderstood the post. He's asking if the current (soon to be ex) employer can find out their new employers offer. I too am curious why this would matter.

I guess there's been some - ahem - embroidering of the current remuneration package and might now be some concern about the current employer commenting on the new salary package (which the potential employer is fully entitled to disclose) and what a huge jump it is!

JCGost

All,

Thank you for the replies.

It seems a few of you confused what I was asking.... it was about my NEW employer who has sent my NEW salary to my references.

I would prefer they had not done this that for various reasons.

So my question is, are they allowed to do this? For example, a reference might be my neighbour who I would rather didn't know my salary (although I hasten to add this isn't the case in this instance).

Reading between the lines in some of the replies, the simple answer appears to be 'yes'?

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

The new salary often isn't at all confidential - depends on your line of work of course. All our jobs are advertised online, with the salary in plain sight, and it's sometimes included in the preamble to the job description which is sent to referees.

So yes, they're allowed to do this.

buglawton

In the light of recent (June) GDPR legislation, the new employer can only reveal the precise offer to someone apart from you and their own proper interested parties - eg their HR employees and your future manager - with your express permission. I don't think your old employer is a legitimate interested party. There will be much higher profile cases like this in the future with anyone up to CEO involved.

Sounds like it's a bit late now in your case anyway.

JCGost

That's a good point about GDPR and I think you are right.

Undervalued

buglawton wrote: »

In the light of recent (June) GDPR legislation, the new employer can only reveal the precise offer to someone apart from you and their own proper interested parties - eg their HR employees and your future manager - with your express permission. I don't think your old employer is a legitimate interested party. There will be much higher profile cases like this in the future with anyone up to CEO involved.

Sounds like it's a bit late now in your case anyway.

Yes, but if you don't give your express permission they can simply decide not to employ you if it bothers them enough!

JCGost

I don't see why a reference needs to know or see your salary.

For those who are not fussed about this, then it matter neither way for you, but personally I would rather they didn't.

However, asking a reference to be a reference... sure go for it!

nicechap

JCGost wrote: »

All,

As per the subject, can my new employer disclose my new salary to my references?

Thank you in advance,

JC

Have you asked your prospective new employer?

If you let your new employer know about GPDR it may give them the opportunity to withdraw the job offer which might be a blessing in disguise for you both.

JCGost

nicechap wrote: »

Have you asked your prospective new employer?

If you let your new employer know about GPDR it may give them the opportunity to withdraw the job offer which might be a blessing in disguise for you both.

Thank you for your unhelpful answer to a question that wasn't asked (i.e. "what should I do now?")

The question was simply are they allowed to, which has been answered.

I also suspect by asking what I did it might help others who have the same query (in the future) too.